Birch Lake
About Birch Lake
Birch Lake is a 236-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 69 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 26 feet, and has roughly 6.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 17.8 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 3 fish species here, including smallmouth bass, lake trout, and rainbow trout. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Birch Lake
- 236 acres, up to 69 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: smallmouth bass, lake trout, and rainbow trout
- Average water clarity around 17.8 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
- 236 acres
- Max depth
- 69 ft
- Average depth
- 26 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 17.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 71 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 (1 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 3
- Game fish
- 3
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- 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
1 campground is mapped on or near Birch 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 Birch Lake
Compare Birch Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Birch Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Birch Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Birch Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Birch Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Dunn Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais101 acres
1.2 miles away
South Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill1,145 acres
1.9 miles away
Poplar Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais764 acres
1.9 miles away
Skipper Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill107 acres
2.2 miles away
Partridge Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais118 acres
2.4 miles away
Portage Lake
35 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais128 acres
2.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Birch Lake?
Birch Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 236 acres and reaches 69 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Birch Lake?
Birch Lake covers 236 acres with about 6.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 69 feet and its average depth is about 26 feet.
What fish can you catch at Birch Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Smallmouth Bass, Lake Trout, and Rainbow Trout. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Birch Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Birch Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Birch 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 Birch Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Birch Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Birch Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.