The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Circle Lake
Rice County, Minnesota · about 760 acres (1.2 sq mi)
42°F water, calm this morning.
About Circle Lake
Circle Lake spreads over about 760 acres in Rice County, Minnesota.
It stretches about 1.9 miles end to end with roughly 8.6 miles of shoreline. The water sits about 1,000 ft above sea level. Lonsdale lies about 5 miles to the northwest. Lakeville, the nearest city, is about 16 miles north.
- Size
- About 760 acres (1.2 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 8.6 miles
- End to end
- About 1.9 miles
- Elevation
- About 1,000 ft
- County
- Rice County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Good
- 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise
- 3:15 pm – 4:45 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise · wind 0 mph
- 3:15 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish to expect
For a lake of this size in Minnesota, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish are the fish to expect. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 42°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodWalleye
Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.
- GoodNorthern pike
Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.
- SlowLargemouth bass
Cold and sluggish. Fish slow and deep near steep banks.
- GoodYellow perch
Schooled near weed edges and soft bottom.
- SlowBluegill and sunfish
Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Back of a cove
Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 7:07 am · sunset 4:47 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Circle Lake
- Lonsdaleabout 5 mi northwest
- Dundasabout 6.2 mi east
- Faribaultabout 8.1 mi south
- Northfieldabout 8.6 mi east
- Lakevillenearest city, about 16 mi north
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Questions about Circle Lake
What fish are in Circle Lake?
Lakes like Circle Lake usually hold walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Circle Lake?
We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.
How big is Circle Lake?
About 760 acres, with about 8.6 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Circle Lake?
Lonsdale is about 5 miles northwest; Dundas is about 6.2 miles east.
What is the water temperature at Circle Lake today?
The surface was about 42°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Circle Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
