Kansas Lake
About Kansas Lake
Kansas Lake is a 403-acre lake near Saint James in Watonwan County, Minnesota. It reaches 7 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 5 feet, and has roughly 3.9 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 5 Watonwan County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 1.6 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. 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 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the county. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Kansas Lake
- 403 acres, up to 7 feet deep, near Saint James
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 1.6 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 403 acres
- Max depth
- 7 ft
- Average depth
- 5 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 1.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 403 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)
- Camping (1 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 14
- Game fish
- 5
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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.
Camping & Reservations
1 campground is mapped on or near Kansas Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Kansas Lake
Compare Kansas Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Kansas Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Kansas Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Kansas Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Kansas Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Long Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreWatonwan · Saint James263 acres
2.3 miles away
St. James Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreWatonwan · Saint James203 acres
4.7 miles away
Fish Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreMartin · Odin156 acres
6 miles away
Cedar Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreMartin · Trimont707 acres
9.6 miles away
Mountain Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreCottonwood · Mountain Lake230 acres
12.4 miles away
Big Twin Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreMartin · Trimont461 acres
12.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kansas Lake?
Kansas Lake is in Watonwan County, Minnesota, near Saint James. It covers 403 acres and reaches 7 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Kansas Lake?
Kansas Lake covers 403 acres with about 3.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 7 feet and its average depth is about 5 feet.
What fish can you catch at Kansas Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Kansas Lake?
Yes. Kansas Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Kansas Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Kansas 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 Kansas Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Kansas Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Kansas Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.