Bay Lake
Homes & cabins for sale
Bay Lake is a 2,330-acre lake in Crow Wing County, in the Brainerd Lakes area. It's a moderately deep lake reaching 74 feet at its deepest (about 0 feet on average) and water clarity of roughly 17.5 feet. Anglers fish Bay Lake for Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie and Bluegill. There are 2 public accesses on the lake. Browse waterfront homes and cabins for sale on Bay Lake below, and connect with a local lake agent. Lake facts: Minnesota DNR.
About Bay Lake
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Life on Bay Lake
Bay Lake is a classic Brainerd-area lake in Crow Wing County, best known as the home of Ruttger's, Minnesota's oldest family resort. Clear water and an established, low-key cabin culture give it a more relaxed feel than the busier chains nearby, while staying an easy drive from the Twin Cities.
The market is largely well-kept family cabins and year-round homes; water quality and quiet frontage are the draw, and properties tend to stay in families for generations.
Featured Bay Lake businesses
Resorts, marinas, dock builders, and lake-area pros our community relies on.
What the seasons bring on Bay Lake
Summer is golf, swimming, and resort life on calm, family-oriented water. Fall quiets things to color and the last warm days.
Winter brings ice fishing and snowmobiling across the Brainerd Lakes trail network, with the May opener restarting the season.
Bay Lake by the numbers
Source: Minnesota DNR · view surveyHomes for sale on Bay Lake
Common questions about Bay Lake
Can you buy a home on Bay Lake?
Yes. Bay Lake, in Crow Wing County, Brainerd Lakes, MN, has a mix of year-round lake homes, seasonal cabins, and the occasional building lot along its shoreline. True waterfront inventory is limited and moves seasonally, so most buyers work with a local agent who tracks Bay Lake listings directly.
Where is Bay Lake located?
Bay Lake is in Crow Wing County, Brainerd Lakes, MN.
How big is Bay Lake?
Bay Lake covers about 2,330 acres, making it a substantial Minnesota lake (Minnesota DNR).
How deep is Bay Lake?
Bay Lake reaches a maximum depth of about 74 feet, with a mean depth of roughly 0 feet, per Minnesota DNR survey data.
What fish are in Bay Lake?
Bay Lake holds Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch, according to Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys.
How clear is the water in Bay Lake?
Water clarity on Bay Lake measures about 17.5 feet in Minnesota DNR surveys — a useful gauge of water quality when you're comparing lakes.
Does Bay Lake have public access?
Yes — Bay Lake has 2 public accesses (Minnesota DNR), so you can get on the water even before you own on it.
What is there to do on Bay Lake?
Bay Lake is known for boating, fishing, watersports, and lakeside dining, with capable marinas and services right on the water. The full four-season calendar — open water in summer, color in fall, and ice season in winter — is part of what draws owners to the lake.
What towns are near Bay Lake?
Several Minnesota towns sit within a short drive of Bay Lake, offering dining, groceries, and marine services for owners.
How do I find a real estate agent for Bay Lake?
We match you with a vetted agent who specializes in Bay Lake and the surrounding Brainerd Lakes market and knows the shoreline bay by bay. Request an introduction on this page and we'll connect you — there's no cost to get matched.
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Guides covering Bay Lake
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