US lakes & pondsUS lakes & pondsSurface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 34119718).
The red circle marks Howard Lake.
Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline.
Official Minnesota DNR pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.
Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.
Fish species found in Minnesota DNR lake surveys: Bigmouth buffalo, Black bullhead, Black crappie, Bluegill, Brown bullhead, Common carp, Largemouth bass, Northern pike, Pumpkinseed, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Yellow perch.
Maximum depth and Average depth not published.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources LakeFinder record for Howard Lake (DOW 02001600), with lake survey reports, depth maps and stocking history. Acreage here can differ slightly from our mapped outline.
Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.
Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID 34119718), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: Minnesota DNR public water access sites (Minnesota Geospatial Commons). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.
We found 10 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Howard Lake. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.
RVs welcome
Drinking water
Cabins or yurts · Dump station
RVs welcome
All campgrounds & RV parks in Minnesota
Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.
Campground data: Recreation.gov (RIDB) · OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.
Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (45.2595, -93.0444). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Howard Lake. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.
Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in CT (America/Chicago), and accurate to within a few minutes.
1 public access site listed.
| Site | Town | Owner | Type | Parking | Fee | Uses | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard Lake Public Water Access Site | Columbus | DNR Division of Parks and Trails | Carry-in (hand launch) | 4 trailer, 2 car | — | Fishing, Boating | 45.2537, -93.0422 |
Minnesota DNR public water access sites (Minnesota Geospatial Commons)
Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.
Reported on or near Howard Lake
USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database
USGS records matched to this water by location (within about 150 m of the outline) or by the place name in the record. A record shows a sighting was reported; it doesn't prove the species is still there. As of Oct 10, 2026.
Howard Lake covers about 432 acres in Columbus, Minnesota (Anoka County).
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lists Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Bigmouth buffalo, Black bullhead, Brown bullhead and Common carp and 2 more.
No trailer ramp is listed, but there is 1 public access site for car-top boats or shore access.
Yes. We list 10 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles.
Howard Lake touches Columbus in Anoka County, Minnesota.
Know Howard Lake? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).
Straight-line distance between lake centers. All Minnesota lakes & ponds · All waters in Columbus