Borden Lake
Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Garrison. DNR lake ID 18002000.
Borden Lake is a 1,011-acre lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Garrison. Its deepest point reaches 84 ft, and about 30% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 10.6 feet in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring, which places it in the mesotrophic nutrient class. It is not on the DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie.
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Quick facts
| DNR lake ID | 18002000 |
|---|---|
| County | Crow Wing County, near Garrison |
| Surface area | 1,011 acres |
| Maximum depth | 84 ft |
| Mean depth | 22.0 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 30% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 10.6 ft through 2025 |
| Phosphorus (summer) | 38.1 µg/L |
| Algae, chlorophyll-a (summer) | 5.1 µg/L |
| Nutrient class | Mesotrophic |
| Clarity trend | Steady (2016 to 2025) |
| Invasive species | Not on DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026) |
| Public water accesses | 1 |
Water quality
Summer averages from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring through 2025: clarity 10.6 ft, phosphorus 38.1 µg/L, algae (chlorophyll-a) 5.1 µg/L. Using the Carlson trophic state index, Borden Lake rates as mesotrophic. Summer clarity trend 2016 to 2025: steady.
Fishing on Borden 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 | 2.42 | 1.3 to 5.5 |
| Northern pike | gill | 6.33 | 3.1 to 8.5 |
| Northern pike | trap | 0.33 | n/a |
| Yellow perch | gill | 0.42 | 2.5 to 24.2 |
| Black crappie | gill | 2.08 | 0.5 to 2.7 |
| Black crappie | trap | 0.75 | 0.7 to 3.2 |
| Bluegill | gill | 2.42 | n/a |
| Bluegill | trap | 12.33 | 5.6 to 42.3 |
| Largemouth bass | gill | 1.42 | 0.3 to 1.2 |
| Largemouth bass | trap | 0.75 | 0.3 to 1.1 |
| Muskellunge | gill | 0.08 | 0.2 to 0.6 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | gill | 0.42 | 0.7 to 6.5 |
| Pumpkinseed | gill | 1.83 | n/a |
| Pumpkinseed | trap | 1.25 | 1.7 to 8.2 |
| Rock bass | gill | 2.08 | 0.3 to 2.0 |
| Rock bass | trap | 1.0 | 0.6 to 2.5 |
| Hybrid sunfish | gill | 0.75 | n/a |
| Hybrid sunfish | trap | 1.5 | n/a |
Walleye catch was within the typical range for similar lakes in that survey.
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Northern pike 34.0 in (2021), Smallmouth bass 19.0 in (2021), Largemouth bass 19.0 in (2021), Walleye 29.0 in (2021), Muskellunge 29.0 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, Green sunfish, Tullibee (cisco), Burbot, Bowfin, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Brown bullhead.
Fishing regulations
- Sunfish daily limit 5. Crappie daily limit 5. (DNR Quality Sunfish Initiative)
Regulations change. Confirm with the DNR before fishing.
Invasive species
Not on the Minnesota DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. That means no confirmed listing, not a guarantee the lake is free of invasive species.
Public boat access
- Borden Lake: 1 concrete slab launch ramp, 1 dock, 22 trailer spaces. 1 mile North of Garrison on MN Hwy. 18. Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Nearby lakes
- Miller Lake 1.5 mi, Crow Wing County
- Kenney Lake 1.7 mi, Crow Wing County
- Bassett Lake 1.9 mi, Crow Wing County
- Scott Lake 2.1 mi, Crow Wing County
- Smith Lake 2.7 mi, Crow Wing County
- Barbour Lake 2.9 mi, Crow Wing County
- Rice Lake 3.1 mi, Crow Wing County
- Holt Lake 3.4 mi, Crow Wing County
Questions about Borden Lake
How deep is Borden Lake?
Borden Lake reaches a maximum depth of 84 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 30% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is Borden Lake?
Borden Lake covers about 1,011 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota.
How clear is Borden Lake?
Summer water clarity on Borden Lake averages 10.6 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2025. Its trophic state is mesotrophic.
Does Borden Lake have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
Borden Lake is not on the Minnesota DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. That means there is no confirmed listing; it is not a guarantee the lake is free of invasive species.
What fish are in Borden Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish in Borden Lake. The most recent standard survey was in 2021.
Where is the public boat access on Borden Lake?
Borden Lake has 1 public water access site on DNR record: Borden Lake.
How is the walleye population on Borden Lake?
In Minnesota DNR net surveys from 1993 to 2021, walleye numbers on Borden Lake ran mostly within 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 Borden Lake?
Homes on Borden 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 Borden Lake and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on Borden Lake?
A mid-size lake with room for boating and fishing, about 30% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 10.6 feet. Conditions vary by property, so walk the frontage and ask us what similar homes have sold for.
Are there special fishing regulations on Borden Lake?
Yes. Sunfish daily limit 5. Crappie daily limit 5.
Ask us about Borden Lake
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious, our team works Crow Wing 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.