Alpine Lake
About Alpine Lake
Alpine Lake is a 909-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 65 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 23.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.8 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 6 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, lake trout, and lake whitefish. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 25 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Alpine Lake
- 909 acres, up to 65 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, lake trout, and lake whitefish
- Average water clarity around 12.8 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 909 acres
- Max depth
- 65 ft
- Shoreline
- 23.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 12.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 403 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
- A trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- Camping (25 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 6
- Game fish
- 5
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
25 campgrounds are mapped on or near Alpine Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Alpine Lake
Compare Alpine Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Alpine Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Jasper Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais246 acres
1.8 miles away
Red Rock Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte451 acres
2 miles away
Sea Gull Lake
80 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais3,958 acres
3.1 miles away
Holt Lake
29 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage115 acres
3.3 miles away
Zephyr Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Prairie Portage140 acres
3.4 miles away
Grandpa Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Schroeder125 acres
3.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Alpine Lake?
Alpine Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 909 acres and reaches 65 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Alpine Lake?
Alpine Lake covers 909 acres with about 23.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 65 feet.
What fish can you catch at Alpine Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Lake Trout, and Lake Whitefish. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Alpine Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Alpine Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Alpine Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Alpine Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Alpine Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Alpine Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.