Alton Lake
About Alton Lake
Alton Lake is a 969-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 72 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 15.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 14.2 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state. Access is by portage through Superior National Forest; most lakes reached this way lie in or beside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where an entry permit is required.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, tullibee (cisco), and rock bass. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 14 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Alton Lake
- 969 acres, up to 72 feet deep, near Tofte
- Portage 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, yellow perch, tullibee (cisco), and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 14.2 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
- Boundary Waters country: entry permit required, no cans or glass bottles, and motors are restricted on most lakes
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Portage access only
- Launch fee
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 969 acres
- Max depth
- 72 ft
- Shoreline
- 15.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 14.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 320 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 BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 4 portage accesses
- Camping (14 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- 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
- 7
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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
14 campgrounds are mapped on or near Alton 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 Alton Lake
Compare Alton Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Alton Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Beth Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte170 acres
1.9 miles away
Sawbill Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte834 acres
2.1 miles away
Kelso Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Forest Center133 acres
2.3 miles away
Grace Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Forest Center433 acres
2.6 miles away
Burnt Lake
34 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen358 acres
3.4 miles away
Kelly Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte173 acres
4.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Alton Lake?
Alton Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte. It covers 969 acres and reaches 72 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Alton Lake?
Alton Lake covers 969 acres with about 15.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 72 feet.
What fish can you catch at Alton Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Alton Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Alton Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Alton 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 Alton Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Alton Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Alton Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.