Caroline Lake
About Caroline Lake
Caroline Lake is a 137-acre lake near Fairhaven in Wright County, Minnesota. It reaches 45 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 15 feet, and has roughly 3.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. Special fishing regulations apply to crappie and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2019.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 11, based on 9 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Caroline Lake
- 137 acres, up to 45 feet deep, near Fairhaven
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 4 feet
- Listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 137 acres
- Max depth
- 45 ft
- Average depth
- 15 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 46 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
- Walleye fishing
- Ice 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
- 17
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2019
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Crappie: Daily limit five.
- Sunfish: Daily limit ten.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 11
- Years of record
- 9
- Earliest
- March 14, 2016
- Latest
- April 30, 2018
- Most recent
- April 14, 2022
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Caroline Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Marie Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreStearns · Fairhaven146 acres
1.5 miles away
Laura Lake
8 out of 100 Lake ScoreStearns · Fairhaven140 acres
1.7 miles away
Lake Augusta
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreWright · Fairhaven187 acres
1.7 miles away
Louisa Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreWright · Kimball193 acres
2.8 miles away
School Section Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreStearns · Kimball211 acres
3.8 miles away
Clearwater Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreWright · Annandale3,187 acres
3.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Caroline Lake?
Caroline Lake is in Wright County, Minnesota, near Fairhaven. It covers 137 acres and reaches 45 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Caroline Lake?
Caroline Lake covers 137 acres with about 3.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 45 feet and its average depth is about 15 feet.
What fish can you catch at Caroline Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, and Tullibee (Cisco) and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Caroline Lake?
Yes. Caroline Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Caroline Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Caroline 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 Caroline Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Caroline Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Are there special fishing regulations on Caroline Lake?
Yes. Daily limit five. Daily limit ten.
When does the ice go out on Caroline Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 11, from 9 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 14, 2016 and the latest is April 30, 2018.
Does Caroline Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Caroline Lake as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.