Leech Lake (Main Basin)
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Survey readout
Leech Lake (Main Basin) is mapped to a depth of 135 ft on the Minnesota DNR survey and covers about 102,081 acres in Cass County, Minnesota. Depths come from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1957.
Measured from the Minnesota DNR lake bathymetric contour survey.
- Deepest mapped contour
- 135 ft
- Survey year
- 1957
- Surface area
- 102,081 acres
- Shoreline
- 159.34 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 2% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Trailer Launch · Leech Lake, Battle Point Public Water Access Site · Minnesota DNR site · 8 more
Additional depth details19 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–135 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 135 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
- 47.18257, -94.38063
- MN DNR lake ID
- 11020301
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 2.1 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-25Leech Lake (Main Basin) has a mostly natural, lightly developed setting, long open-water fetch, substantial nearby higher-volume roads.
Why this score?5 components
Included in the index
| Component | Rating | Points of weight | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural setting | Very Good | 23.2 of 35 | 66% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (25% forest, 40% wetland; 11% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Modest | 1.5 of 29 | mean fetch 15,485 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 | Excellent | 17.6 of 18 | 9 DNR public access sites · carry-in or canoe launch · boat ramp · fishing pier |
| Road isolation | Modest | 0.9 of 18 | substantial nearby higher-volume roads · 60 MnDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 8,820 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 2% 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
- High — 25% forest and 40% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
Compare Minnesota lakes by Paddling Index →
Fish you might catch
from DNR surveys & active stocking27 species with recent evidence in this lake — sized relative to each other. Illustrations are AI-generated representative adults in everyday colors, not photographs (provenance).
White Sucker
Hybrid Sunfish
Golden Shiner
Logperch
Bluntnose Minnow
Mottled Sculpin
Spotfin Shiner
Spottail Shiner
Tadpole Madtom
Iowa Darter
Johnny Darter
Mimic ShinerAbout these fish → the Fish of Minnesota guide
Fishery
surveyed 2025Gamefish Walleye 317 · Smallmouth Bass 290 · Largemouth Bass 121 · Northern Pike 121
Panfish Yellow Perch 21,028 · Bluegill 137 · Rock Bass 49
All survey species27 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
3 confirmedMussels & snails
Zebra MusselConfirmed in this water in 2016 (listed 2016).
Plants & algae
Eurasian WatermilfoilConfirmed in this water in 2004 (listed 2005).
Starry StonewortConfirmed in this water in 2021 (listed 2021).
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
Leech Lake (Main Basin) — common questions
How deep is Leech Lake (Main Basin)?
The deepest contour on the Minnesota DNR bathymetric survey of Leech Lake (Main Basin) is 135 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 Leech Lake (Main Basin)?
Leech Lake (Main Basin) covers about 102,081 acres in Cass County, Minnesota.
What fish are in Leech Lake (Main Basin)?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include lake whitefish, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye. The page lists all 27 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to Leech Lake (Main Basin)?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR lists 9 public access sites on Leech Lake (Main Basin): Leech Lake, Battle Point Public Water Access Site (boat ramp); Leech Lake, Brevik Public Water Access Site (boat ramp); Leech Lake, Erickson's Landing Public Water Access Site (boat ramp); Leech Lake, Stony Point Public Water Access Site (boat ramp) and 5 more.
