Deer Lake
depth
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Depth scale
Survey readout
Deer Lake is mapped to a depth of 25 ft on the Minnesota DNR survey and covers about 171 acres in Wright County, Minnesota. Depths come from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1960.
Measured from the Minnesota DNR lake bathymetric contour survey.
- Deepest mapped contour
- 25 ft
- Survey year
- 1960
- Surface area
- 171 acres
- Shoreline
- 3.31 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 1% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Trailer Launch · Deer Lake Public Water Access Site · Minnesota DNR site
Additional depth details5 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–25 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 25 ft
Provenance
Sources: MN DNR Lake Bathymetric Contours, USGS 3DEP, USDA NAIP (public domain), OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
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Map details & sources4 sources
All layers registered to one bounding box; positions in WGS 84.
Survey-derived depth contours drape over USGS 3DEP elevation, with a USDA NAIP aerial basemap and OpenStreetMap shoreline. Color shows surveyed depth; dark lines are the survey's own isobaths.
- Coordinates
- 45.14394, -93.91224
- MN DNR lake ID
- 86010700
- Vertical exaggeration
- 2.83×
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 2.1 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-25Deer Lake has a mixed natural and developed setting, generally sheltered geometry, some nearby classified roads.
Why this score?5 components
Included in the index
| Component | Rating | Points of weight | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural setting | Mixed | 11.6 of 35 | 40% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (21% forest, 19% wetland; 17% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Very Good | 19.6 of 29 | mean fetch 901 m · 0% of sampled water within 500 m of shelter · generally short fetch |
| Motor & speed rules | Not modeled | — | Minnesota’s lake-by-lake motor, speed and no-wake rules are mostly county and city ordinances, not map data, so they are not part of the Minnesota index. Check local signage and ordinances before going out. |
| Public access | Good | 15.0 of 18 | 1 DNR public access site · boat ramp |
| Road isolation | Good | 8.8 of 18 | some nearby classified roads · 3 MnDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 4,597 vehicles/day |
Additional paddling considerations
These describe the lake but are not part of the v1 Paddling Index and do not change the number above.
- Wake sensitivity
- Low — wide enough that wakes disperse over most of the lake
- Aquatic vegetation
- Low — approximately 1% mapped coverage · NAIP aerial imagery (NDVI)
- Observed motorized activity
- Unknown — No lake-level measurement of boat traffic is available. Legal permission to operate motors is not evidence of use.
- Wildlife habitat potential
- Limited — 21% forest and 19% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
Compare Minnesota lakes by Paddling Index →
Fish you might catch
from DNR surveys18 species with recent evidence in this lake — sized relative to each other. Illustrations are AI-generated representative adults in everyday colors, not photographs (provenance).
Common Carp
Bigmouth Buffalo
White Sucker
Hybrid Sunfish
Golden ShinerAbout these fish → the Fish of Minnesota guide
Fishery
surveyed 2023Gamefish Largemouth Bass 100 · Northern Pike 77 · Walleye 35 · Bowfin 5
Panfish Bluegill 893 · Pumpkinseed 206 · Black Crappie 101
All survey species18 species
Gamefish
Panfish
Bullhead & catfish
Forage & nongame
Infested waters listing
1 confirmed, 1 via connectionMussels & snails
- Zebra MusselListed in 2023 because this water is connected to Buffalo (86-0090). The species has not necessarily been found in this lake.
Plants & algae
Eurasian WatermilfoilConfirmed in this water in 2000 (listed 2000).
How to identify invasive species in Minnesota lakes →
What does the infested waters list mean?
The Minnesota DNR lists a lake, river, pond or wetland as infested when it contains an aquatic invasive species that could spread to other waters, or when it is connected to a water where one is present. Activities such as bait harvest and water use are managed differently on infested waters. Check the current list before moving water, bait or equipment.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. List of Infested Waters, September 9, 2026. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/infested.html
Deer Lake — common questions
How deep is Deer Lake?
The deepest contour on the Minnesota DNR bathymetric survey of Deer Lake is 25 ft. That is the deepest depth the historical survey map records, which may differ from the deepest point of the lake itself.
How big is Deer Lake?
Deer Lake covers about 171 acres in Wright County, Minnesota.
What fish are in Deer Lake?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include channel catfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, black bullhead, black crappie. The page lists all 18 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to Deer Lake?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR lists a public access site on Deer Lake: a boat ramp with a boat dock. It is administered by the DNR Division of Parks and Trails. DNR directions: "2.5 mi SW of Buffalo, to S shore."
