Pope County · 336 acres
Gilchrist Lake homes for sale
Gilchrist Lake covers about 336 acres in Pope County and reaches 24 feet at its deepest. The closest town is Brooten, and there is public access at one point listed by the Minnesota DNR.
See every home for sale on or near Gilchrist Lake, from every brokerage.
See Gilchrist Lake homes for saleOpen the map around Gilchrist LakeLakeshore homes for sale on Gilchrist Lake, from every brokerage.
Lakeshore homes onlyActive listings from every brokerage, from NorthstarMLS through IDX Broker. Janet can be your buyer's agent on any of them.
The lake
About Gilchrist Lake
Gilchrist Lake is a 336-acre lake in southern Pope County south of Starbuck and Sedan. It is 24 feet deep with one DNR concrete ramp.
Gilchrist Lake is the seventh-largest of the 8 Pope County lakes on this site, and Lake Minnewaska is the largest. About 62% of it is under 15 feet deep, the zone the DNR calls littoral, where most aquatic plants grow, so shallow water makes up most of the lake.
From the middle of Gilchrist Lake, as the crow flies, it is about 12 miles to Brooten. Janet's office in Alexandria is 29 miles to the north.
Gilchrist Lake facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Surface area | 336 acres |
| Maximum depth | 24 feet |
| Littoral (under 15 ft) | 62% |
| Shoreline | 5.1 miles |
| Public access | Yes, 1 DNR-listed access |
| Fish species (DNR survey) | walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and black crappie |
| Invasive species (DNR) | Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel |
| County | Pope County |
| Nearest town | Brooten |
| Drive from Alexandria | about 37 mi to Brooten, 45 minutes |
| DNR lake ID | 61-0072-00 |
Figures from the Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, pulled 2026-09-22.
What to know
Janet on the lakes
Shoreland rules on Gilchrist Lake follow the lake's DNR classification and the Pope County ordinance, which set setbacks and lot widths. Check those before planning an addition or a rebuild near the water.
The buying a lake home guide covers docks, septic, shoreland rules and financing in more detail.
We were in the market for a cabin and met Janet, with our first visit to a cabin we were interested in. Janet worked tirelessly to help us find a place that met our requirements. She was extremely knowledgeable of lakes, homes and their backgrounds. I would recommend Janet for any real estate needs.
Track record
Janet's sales near Gilchrist Lake
Of the homes Home Match Realty listed and sold, the closest to Gilchrist Lake is in Villard, about 17 miles from the lake as the crow flies. The next closest are in Spicer (28 miles) and Alexandria (28 miles). In Glenwood, whose center is about 13 miles from the lake, Janet represented the buyer in 2 closings (counted, not shown, under NorthstarMLS rules).
The Broker Reciprocity logo marks sold data supplied by NorthstarMLS through its Broker Reciprocity program. Data believed to be accurate but should be independently verified. Properties displayed may be listed or sold by various participants in the MLS.
Talk to Janet
What would make Gilchrist Lake right for you?
Tell Janet what you want on Gilchrist Lake: year-round or seasonal, how much frontage, and your budget. She will watch NorthstarMLS for you and call when a fit comes up.
If you are selling lakeshore, start with the selling a lake home guide or the home value form.
FAQ
Questions about Gilchrist Lake
Is there public access on Gilchrist Lake?
The Minnesota DNR lists public access at one point on Gilchrist Lake.
What fish are in Gilchrist Lake?
The DNR's surveys of Gilchrist Lake list walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and black crappie. The DNR has also confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels in the lake. Its DNR lake ID is 61-0072-00, and its LakeFinder page has the survey reports.
How deep is Gilchrist Lake?
Gilchrist Lake reaches 24 feet at its deepest and covers about 336 acres, with 5.1 miles of shoreline. That makes it the fifth-deepest of the 8 Pope County lakes on this site.
How fast do Gilchrist Lake properties sell?
Lakeshore is limited, so good properties can move quickly in spring and summer. Rather than quote an average, Janet will pull the current sold and active data for Gilchrist Lake when you ask.
Ready when you are
Talk to Janet about Gilchrist Lake
Shoreline moves fast in spring. A short call now puts you first in line.