Boy Lake
Cass County, Minnesota, near Boy River. DNR lake ID 11014300.
Boy Lake is a 3,466-acre lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Boy River. Its deepest point reaches 45 ft, and about 58% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 9.2 feet in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring, which places it in the mesotrophic nutrient class. The DNR lists it for zebra mussel. DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie.
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Quick facts
| DNR lake ID | 11014300 |
|---|---|
| County | Cass County, near Boy River |
| Surface area | 3,466 acres |
| Maximum depth | 45 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 58% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 9.2 ft through 2025 |
| Phosphorus (summer) | 22.7 µg/L |
| Algae, chlorophyll-a (summer) | 7.9 µg/L |
| Nutrient class | Mesotrophic |
| Clarity trend | Clearer (2016 to 2025) |
| Invasive species | zebra mussel |
| Public water accesses | 1 |
Water quality
Summer averages from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring through 2025: clarity 9.2 ft, phosphorus 22.7 µg/L, algae (chlorophyll-a) 7.9 µg/L. Using the Carlson trophic state index, Boy Lake rates as mesotrophic. Summer clarity trend 2016 to 2025: clearer.
Fishing on Boy Lake
The most recent DNR standard fish survey was in 2021 (5 years ago). Catch per net is compared with the DNR’s typical range for lakes of the same type.
| Species | Net | Catch per net | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | gill | 6.0 | 1.3 to 5.5 |
| Walleye | trap | 0.2 | 0.2 to 0.7 |
| Northern pike | gill | 10.2 | 3.1 to 8.5 |
| Northern pike | trap | 0.67 | n/a |
| Yellow perch | gill | 7.73 | 2.5 to 24.2 |
| Yellow perch | trap | 0.33 | 0.5 to 2.7 |
| Black crappie | gill | 2.67 | 0.5 to 2.7 |
| Black crappie | trap | 0.33 | 0.7 to 3.2 |
| Bluegill | gill | 8.07 | n/a |
| Bluegill | trap | 5.47 | 5.6 to 42.3 |
| Largemouth bass | gill | 2.33 | 0.3 to 1.2 |
| Largemouth bass | trap | 0.27 | 0.3 to 1.1 |
| Smallmouth bass | gill | 0.13 | 0.2 to 1.0 |
| Muskellunge | gill | 0.07 | 0.2 to 0.6 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | gill | 0.4 | 0.7 to 6.5 |
| Pumpkinseed | gill | 4.13 | n/a |
| Pumpkinseed | trap | 4.33 | 1.7 to 8.2 |
| Rock bass | gill | 0.33 | 0.3 to 2.0 |
| Rock bass | trap | 0.73 | 0.6 to 2.5 |
| Hybrid sunfish | gill | 0.33 | n/a |
| Hybrid sunfish | trap | 0.13 | n/a |
Walleye catch was above the typical range for similar lakes in that survey.
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Walleye 26.0 in (2021), Largemouth bass 18.0 in (2021), Northern pike 33.0 in (2021), Muskellunge 20.0 in (2021), Smallmouth bass 16.0 in (2021).
Game and panfish documented since 2005: Walleye, Northern pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid sunfish, Rock bass, Tullibee (cisco), Burbot, Bowfin, Shorthead redhorse, Greater redhorse, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Brown bullhead, Black bullhead.
Fishing regulations
- Sunfish daily limit 10. Crappie daily limit 5. (DNR Quality Sunfish Initiative)
Regulations change. Confirm with the DNR before fishing.
Invasive species
On the Minnesota DNR infested waters list for: zebra mussel (listed 2025).
Public boat access
- Boy Lake: 1 concrete slab launch ramp, 1 dock, 10 trailer spaces. 9 mi NE of Longville on W shore. Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Nearby lakes
- Lomish Lake 2.1 mi, Cass County
- Portage Lake 2.3 mi, Cass County
- Swift Lake 3.2 mi, Cass County
- Town Line Lake 3.5 mi, Cass County
- Mabel Lake 5.0 mi, Cass County
- Little Swift Lake 5.4 mi, Cass County
- Long Lake 5.9 mi, Cass County
- Maple Lake 6.1 mi, Cass County
Questions about Boy Lake
How deep is Boy Lake?
Boy Lake reaches a maximum depth of 45 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 58% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is Boy Lake?
Boy Lake covers about 3,466 acres in Cass County, Minnesota.
How clear is Boy Lake?
Summer water clarity on Boy Lake averages 9.2 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2025. Its trophic state is mesotrophic.
Does Boy Lake have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
The Minnesota DNR infested waters list includes Boy Lake for zebra mussel.
What fish are in Boy Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish in Boy Lake. The most recent standard survey was in 2021.
Where is the public boat access on Boy Lake?
Boy Lake has 1 public water access site on DNR record: Boy Lake.
How is the walleye population on Boy Lake?
In Minnesota DNR net surveys from 1995 to 2021, walleye numbers on Boy Lake ran mostly above the typical range for similar lakes. Nets measure how many fish a lake holds, not where they’re biting, so local guides are the best source for current fishing.
Are there lake homes for sale on Boy Lake?
Homes on Boy Lake come up for sale throughout the year, and some sell before they’re ever publicly advertised. Tell us what you’re looking for and our agents will run a custom search and send you matching homes on Boy Lake and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on Boy Lake?
Big water with room for long boat rides and wake sports, about 58% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 9.2 feet. Conditions vary by property, so walk the frontage and ask us what similar homes have sold for.
Are there special fishing regulations on Boy Lake?
Yes. Sunfish daily limit 10. Crappie daily limit 5.
Ask us about Boy Lake
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious, our team works Cass County lakes every day. Send us a note or call (218) 656-6469.
Sources: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder records, DNR fish surveys (latest 2021), DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026), Minnesota Rules 6264.0400 (April 2026), MPCA monitoring via the Water Quality Portal, DNR water access records (2023), LAGOS-US. Lakewide information from public data; it does not describe any specific property. Verify shoreline, bottom type, and depth at any frontage.