Lake Ida
depth
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Depth scale
Survey readout
Lake Ida is mapped to a depth of 100 ft on the Minnesota DNR survey and covers about 4,426 acres in Douglas County, Minnesota. Depths come from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1979.
Measured from the Minnesota DNR lake bathymetric contour survey.
- Deepest mapped contour
- 100 ft
- Survey year
- 1979
- Surface area
- 4,426 acres
- Shoreline
- 20.57 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 1% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Trailer Launch · Ida Lake (N) Public Water Access Site · Minnesota DNR site · 2 more
Additional depth details12 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–100 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 100 ft, 80 ft, 30 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
- 45.98817, -95.41221
- MN DNR lake ID
- 21012300
- Vertical exaggeration
- 1.4×
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 2.3 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-25Lake Ida has a mixed natural and developed setting, long open-water fetch, nearby higher-volume roads.
Why this score?5 components
Included in the index
| Component | Rating | Points of weight | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural setting | Mixed | 11.6 of 35 | 45% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (28% forest, 12% wetland; 29% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Modest | 2.1 of 29 | mean fetch 3,793 m · 0% of sampled water within 500 m of shelter · long open-water 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 | 3 DNR public access sites · boat ramp |
| Road isolation | Mixed | 7.0 of 18 | nearby higher-volume roads · 9 MnDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 1,650 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 — 28% forest and 12% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
Compare Minnesota lakes by Paddling Index →
Fish you might catch
from DNR surveys & active stocking17 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
Hybrid Sunfish
About these fish → the Fish of Minnesota guide
Fishery
surveyed 2023Gamefish Largemouth Bass 174 · Walleye 99 · Northern Pike 64 · Smallmouth Bass 31
Panfish Bluegill 480 · Hybrid Sunfish 99 · Pumpkinseed 83
All survey species17 species
Gamefish
Panfish
Bullhead & catfish
Forage & nongame
DNR stocking
state stocking record · 2016–2025Fish the Minnesota DNR has planted in this lake — what was added, distinct from what a survey netted above.
Infested waters listing
1 confirmedMussels & snails
Zebra MusselConfirmed in this water in 2014 (listed 2013).
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
Lake Ida — common questions
How deep is Lake Ida?
The deepest contour on the Minnesota DNR bathymetric survey of Lake Ida is 100 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 Lake Ida?
Lake Ida covers about 4,426 acres in Douglas County, Minnesota.
What fish are in Lake Ida?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye, black crappie. The page lists all 17 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to Lake Ida?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR lists 3 public access sites on Lake Ida: Ida Lake (N) Public Water Access Site (boat ramp); Ida Lake, E Pilgrim Point Public Water Access Site (boat ramp); Ida Lake, Highlands (SE) Public Water Access Site (boat ramp).
