---
type: lake
name: "St. James Lake"
county: "Watonwan"
nearest_town: "Saint James"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 203
max_depth_ft: 15.4
latitude: 43.97225
longitude: -94.64768
lake_score: 55
dnr_lake_id: "83004300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/watonwan-county/st-james-lake
---

# St. James Lake

Lake in Watonwan County, Minnesota, near Saint James

- **Surface Area**: 203 acres
- **Max Depth**: 15 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 2.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 55/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 12
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

### Campgrounds

- St. James Municipal CG

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 7
- **Years of record**: 13
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-13
- **Latest**: 2018-04-29

## Nearby Lakes

- [Kansas Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/watonwan-county/kansas-lake) - 4.7 miles, 403 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/watonwan-county/long-lake) - 4.9 miles, 263 acres
- [Fish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/fish-lake) - 10.7 miles, 156 acres
- [Wood Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/watonwan-county/wood-lake) - 11 miles, 559 acres
- [Lake Hanska](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/brown-county/lake-hanska) - 11.5 miles, 1,795 acres
- [Cedar Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/cedar-lake) - 14 miles, 707 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=43.97225,-94.64768)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=83004300)
- [All lakes in Watonwan County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/watonwan-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/watonwan-county/st-james-lake)*