---
type: lake
name: "Birch Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Grand Marais"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 236
max_depth_ft: 69
latitude: 48.0692
longitude: -90.53444
lake_score: 55
dnr_lake_id: "16024700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/birch-lake
---

# Birch Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais

- **Surface Area**: 236 acres
- **Max Depth**: 69 ft
- **Average Depth**: 26 ft
- **Shoreline**: 6.7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 17.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 55/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 3
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Campground

## Fish Species

Smallmouth Bass, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout

## Nearby Lakes

- [Dunn Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/dunn-lake) - 1.2 miles, 101 acres
- [South Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/south-lake) - 1.9 miles, 1,145 acres
- [Poplar Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/poplar-lake) - 1.9 miles, 764 acres
- [Skipper Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/skipper-lake) - 2.2 miles, 107 acres
- [Partridge Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/partridge-lake) - 2.4 miles, 118 acres
- [Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/portage-lake) - 2.5 miles, 128 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.0692,-90.53444)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16024700)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/birch-lake)*