St. James Lake
About St. James Lake
St. James Lake is a 203-acre lake near Saint James in Watonwan County, Minnesota. It reaches 15 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.8 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black 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 2025.
There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the city. St. James Municipal CG is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 7, based on 13 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to St. James Lake
- 203 acres, up to 15 feet deep, near Saint James
- 2 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the city
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 2.8 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- Camping close to the water at St. James Municipal CG
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- city
Conditions
- Surface area
- 203 acres
- Max depth
- 15 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 2.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 203 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
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping: St. James Municipal CG
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 12
- Game fish
- 8
- 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.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 7
- Years of record
- 13
- Earliest
- March 13, 2012
- Latest
- April 29, 2018
- Most recent
- April 5, 2022
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
St. James Municipal CG is mapped on or near St. James 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 St. James Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Kansas Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreWatonwan · Saint James403 acres
4.7 miles away
Long Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreWatonwan · Saint James263 acres
4.9 miles away
Fish Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreMartin · Odin156 acres
10.7 miles away
Wood Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreWatonwan · Sveadahl559 acres
11 miles away
Lake Hanska
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreBrown · Hanska1,795 acres
11.5 miles away
Cedar Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreMartin · Trimont707 acres
14 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is St. James Lake?
St. James Lake is in Watonwan County, Minnesota, near Saint James. It covers 203 acres and reaches 15 feet deep.
How big and how deep is St. James Lake?
St. James Lake covers 203 acres with about 3.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 15 feet.
What fish can you catch at St. James Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Channel Catfish and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on St. James Lake?
Yes. St. James Lake has 2 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the city. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at St. James Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at St. James 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. James Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for St. James Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on St. James Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 7, from 13 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 13, 2012 and the latest is April 29, 2018.
Can you camp at St. James Lake?
Yes. St. James Municipal CG is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.