Walleye lake, Northern pike lake, Muskie lake, Bass lake, Crappie lake, Sunfish lake

Deer Lake

Public accessStocked 2025

Deer Lake is a 4,093-acre lake in Itasca County, 121 feet at its deepest. The DNR last surveyed its fish in 2023. Recorded species include walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and crappie.

Details

DNR lake ID
31071900
County
Itasca
Surface area
4,093 acres
Maximum depth
121 feet
Mean depth
42 feet
Shallow water (littoral) area
920 acres, 22% of the lake
Shoreline
26.1 miles
Average water clarity
13.3 feet (Secchi disk, 3 readings)
Latest DNR fish survey
July 2023, standard survey
Surveys on record
13, since 1948
Game fish caught in the 2023 survey
bluegill 328, rock bass 257, smallmouth bass 227, yellow perch 160, largemouth bass 101, walleye 96, pumpkinseed 26, northern pike 19
Fish species recorded
black crappie, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, tiger muskellunge, walleye, yellow perch, and 28 other species
Stocked in 2025
walleye fingerlings (16,742)
Stocked in 2024
walleye fingerlings (30,310)
Stocked in 2023
walleye fingerlings (21,780)
Stocking years on record
10 of the last 10 (2016 to 2025)
Deer Lake Public Water Access Site
trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 12 trailer spaces, toilet, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Fish consumption
Follow the statewide guidelines; fish from this lake have been tested
Size
2,000 acres or more
Deepest point
60 feet or more
Public access
Yes
Stocked in the last 3 years
Yes

Sources

Survey catches show what DNR nets and electrofishing found on the survey date, not how the fishing is today. Check the current regulations and the Department of Health advice before you keep fish, and confirm access conditions before you tow a boat.

More in Deer River

All 39 lakes
Infested waters listPublic access

Spider Lake

Itasca County
Public accessStocked in the last 3 years