Beth Lake
About Beth Lake
Beth Lake is a 170-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 22 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 14 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 4 fish species here, including northern pike, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2012.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 5 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Beth Lake
- 170 acres, up to 22 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: northern pike, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 14 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
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 170 acres
- Max depth
- 22 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 14 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 101 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
Facilities
- 3 portage accesses
- Camping (5 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 4
- Game fish
- 3
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2012
- 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
5 campgrounds are mapped on or near Beth 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 Beth Lake
Compare Beth Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
Grace Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Forest Center433 acres
1.3 miles away
Alton Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte969 acres
1.9 miles away
Phoebe Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Forest Center610 acres
3 miles away
Kelso Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Forest Center133 acres
3.7 miles away
Sawbill Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte834 acres
3.9 miles away
Burnt Lake
34 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen358 acres
5.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Beth Lake?
Beth Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte. It covers 170 acres and reaches 22 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Beth Lake?
Beth Lake covers 170 acres with about 4.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 22 feet.
What fish can you catch at Beth Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Beth Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Beth Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Beth 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 Beth Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Beth Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Beth Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.