Dinner Pail Lake
Itasca County, Minnesota, near Hill City. DNR lake ID 31055100.
Dinner Pail Lake is a 47.3-acre lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Hill City. Its deepest point reaches 30 ft, and about 44% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 7.8 feet in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring. It is not on the DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. DNR surveys document northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch.
Buying or selling on Dinner Pail Lake? Ask us what lakeshore here actually sells for, which stretches of shoreline buyers compete for, and what’s coming up before it’s listed.
Tell us about your dream home on Dinner Pail LakeWhat’s my Dinner Pail Lake property worth?Call (218) 656-6469
Quick facts
| DNR lake ID | 31055100 |
|---|---|
| County | Itasca County, near Hill City |
| Surface area | 47.3 acres |
| Maximum depth | 30 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 44% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 7.8 ft through 2025 (satellite estimate) |
| 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 7.8 ft.
Fishing on Dinner Pail Lake
The most recent DNR standard fish survey was in 2008 (18 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern pike | gill | 8.67 | 2.8 to 8.7 |
| Northern pike | trap | 0.6 | n/a |
| Yellow perch | gill | 0.33 | 1.5 to 23.0 |
| Black crappie | trap | 0.8 | 0.5 to 3.3 |
| Bluegill | gill | 4.0 | n/a |
| Bluegill | trap | 7.0 | 5.7 to 40.5 |
| Largemouth bass | gill | 0.67 | 0.3 to 1.5 |
| Pumpkinseed | trap | 1.0 | 1.3 to 6.3 |
| Rock bass | gill | 0.33 | 0.5 to 2.0 |
| Rock bass | trap | 0.2 | 0.5 to 2.8 |
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Largemouth bass 13.0 in (2008), Northern pike 36.0 in (2008).
Game and panfish documented since 2005: Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Rock bass, Bowfin, Yellow bullhead, Brown bullhead.
Fishing regulations
No lake-specific regulation found in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
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
- Dinner Pail Lake: 1 natural launch ramp, 3 trailer spaces. 15 miles south of Grand Rapids, off US Highway #169, on the northeast shore of Dinner Pail Lake. Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Nearby lakes
- Maple Lake 0.5 mi, Itasca County
- Mountain Ash Lake 1.6 mi, Itasca County
- Previs Lake 2.1 mi, Aitkin County
- Chamberlin Lake 2.4 mi, Aitkin County
- Hill Lake 2.8 mi, Aitkin County
- Bible Lake 3.3 mi, Aitkin County
- Smith Lake 4.4 mi, Itasca County
- Taylor Lake 5.3 mi, Aitkin County
Questions about Dinner Pail Lake
How deep is Dinner Pail Lake?
Dinner Pail Lake reaches a maximum depth of 30 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 44% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is Dinner Pail Lake?
Dinner Pail Lake covers about 47.3 acres in Itasca County, Minnesota.
How clear is Dinner Pail Lake?
Summer water clarity on Dinner Pail Lake averages 7.8 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2025.
Does Dinner Pail Lake have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
Dinner Pail 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 Dinner Pail Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys document northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, rock bass, bowfin, yellow bullhead, brown bullhead in Dinner Pail Lake. The most recent standard survey was in 2008.
Where is the public boat access on Dinner Pail Lake?
Dinner Pail Lake has 1 public water access site on DNR record: Dinner Pail Lake.
Are there lake homes for sale on Dinner Pail Lake?
Homes on Dinner Pail 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 Dinner Pail Lake and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on Dinner Pail Lake?
Small, quiet water suited to paddling and fishing, about 44% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 7.8 feet. Conditions vary by property, so walk the frontage and ask us what similar homes have sold for.
Are there special fishing regulations on Dinner Pail Lake?
No lake-specific regulation was found for Dinner Pail Lake in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
Ask us about Dinner Pail Lake
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious, our team works Itasca County lakes every day. Send us a note or call (218) 656-6469.
Sources: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder records, DNR fish surveys (latest 2008), 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.