Lake trip · Douglas County, Minnesota
Where to stay at Ida Lake
Ida Lake covers 4,445 acres in Douglas County, with water clarity of about 16.4 ft. Compare cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals below. The water-quality readings cover nutrients and algae; they are not a stay-or-skip rating. Open water runs roughly Apr 16 to Dec 3, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
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Places to stay near Ida Lake
Cabins, resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals near Ida Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota — live availability and prices. Add your dates to see totals.
Top-rated places to stay near Ida Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
About the water
Ida Lake has nutrient and algae measurements on record from state and federal monitoring. Water clarity is about 16.4 ft of visibility. Algae (chlorophyll-a) measures 3 µg/L. A water-quality reading is not a swimming clearance. The state water agency and county health departments post current advisories; check them before you swim. The readings are not a reason to skip cabins and rentals around the lake.
Best time to visit
Open water runs roughly Apr 16 to Dec 3, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
About Ida Lake
Fish: black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, common carp, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish.
Fishing & license
When to fish Ida Lake — the seasonal windows by species, from state survey data.
Minnesota fishing license
Anglers under 16 are not required to have a license. Residents age 90+ also exempt. · The Minnesota walleye, northern pike, and bass season opens the Saturday two days before Mother's Day. Most other species are open year-round.
Prices as published by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 2026.
Camping & RV near Ida Lake
Base your trip at a nearby state park for tent and RV camping and trails, with Ida Lake a short drive away — or search all public campgrounds and RV sites in the area on Recreation.gov.
- Lake Carlos State Park · State Park3.8 mi
- Inspiration Peak State Wayside Park · State Wayside12.5 mi
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals around Ida Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota are on the map above with live availability and nightly prices. Waterfront rentals put you on the dock; lodging in the nearest town is usually cheaper with more choice. Lake Carlos State Park is about 3.8 miles away for campground options.
Ida Lake has nutrient and algae measurements on record from state and federal monitoring. A water-quality reading is not a swimming clearance. The state water agency and county health departments post current advisories; check them before you swim.
Open water runs roughly Apr 16 to Dec 3, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Explore Ida Lake
Every Minnesota lake with its published measurements
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Douglas County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the St. Croix Watershed, ranked by water quality
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Lakes in the Sauk River Watershed, ranked by water quality
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
LakeQuality Lake Trip Planner (2026)
Free trip-planning guide for Ida Lake: how to pick a clean lake, the water-quality signals that matter, best swimming and fishing windows, and where to stay.
Lodging availability and prices are provided by Stay22 and its booking partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia); LakeQuality may earn a commission from bookings at no extra cost to you. Water-quality readings are independent of lodging listings. Always check current health-department advisories and managing-agency conditions before you travel.