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Caribou Lake

lakeCook County, Minnesota · near Grand Marais246 acres35 out of 100 Lake Score Lake Score

About Caribou Lake

Caribou Lake is a 246-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 26 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7 feet.

The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.

The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. 4 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.

Plan Your Visit to Caribou Lake

What to Know Before You Go
  • 246 acres, up to 26 feet deep, near Grand Marais
  • Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
  • Average water clarity around 7 feet
  • Camping close to the water

Access & Fees

Public access
Public access on record
Launch fee
Free at DNR accesses
Managed by
US Forest Service

Conditions

Surface area
246 acres
Max depth
26 ft
Shoreline
7.6 mi
Water clarity
7 ft
Shallows (under 15 ft)
203 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

Facilities

  • Camping (4 mapped)

Best For

  • Lakeside camping
Know Before You Go
  • Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake

Camping & Reservations

4 campgrounds are mapped on or near Caribou 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.

Backcountry sites

Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.

Activities

PaddlingCamping

Amenities

Campground

Fish Species

No survey on file

Plan your trip to Caribou Lake

Compare Caribou Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.

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Nearby Lakes

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Swamp Lake

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Poplar Lake

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Meeds Lake

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Gaskin Lake

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Cook · Maple Hill372 acres

2.3 miles away

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Vista Lake

49 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Grand Marais166 acres

2.4 miles away

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Caribou Lake?

Caribou Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 246 acres and reaches 26 feet deep.

How big and how deep is Caribou Lake?

Caribou Lake covers 246 acres with about 7.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 26 feet.

What fish can you catch at Caribou Lake?

The DNR has no fish survey on file for Caribou Lake.

Is there a public boat launch on Caribou Lake?

Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.

Can you swim at Caribou Lake?

There is no mapped public swim beach at Caribou 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.

Can you camp at Caribou Lake?

Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.