St. Olaf Lake
About St. Olaf Lake
St. Olaf Lake is a 91-acre lake near Mankato in Waseca County, Minnesota. It reaches 33 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 1.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.3 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2022.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the county. Ice typically goes out around March 31, based on 15 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to St. Olaf Lake
- 91 acres, up to 33 feet deep, near Mankato
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 5.3 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 91 acres
- Max depth
- 33 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 5.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 51 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Northern Pike fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 11
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2022
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- March 31
- Years of record
- 15
- Earliest
- March 3, 2024
- Latest
- April 22, 2013
- Most recent
- March 21, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to St. Olaf Lake
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Loon Lake
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Fountain Lake
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is St. Olaf Lake?
St. Olaf Lake is in Waseca County, Minnesota, near Mankato. It covers 91 acres and reaches 33 feet deep.
How big and how deep is St. Olaf Lake?
St. Olaf Lake covers 91 acres with about 1.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 33 feet.
What fish can you catch at St. Olaf Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on St. Olaf Lake?
Yes. St. Olaf Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at St. Olaf Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at St. Olaf Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is St. Olaf Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for St. Olaf Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on St. Olaf Lake?
The median ice-out date is March 31, from 15 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 3, 2024 and the latest is April 22, 2013.