---
type: lake
name: "Caribou Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Grand Marais"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 462
max_depth_ft: 65
latitude: 48.06979
longitude: -90.30841
lake_score: 42
dnr_lake_id: "16014100"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/caribou-lake-grand-marais
---

# Caribou Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais

- **Surface Area**: 462 acres
- **Max Depth**: 65 ft
- **Shoreline**: 8.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 13.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 42/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Caribou Lake is a 462-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 65 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 8.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13.8 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

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

Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. Caribou Lake #1 and Caribou Lake #2 are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.

## Access

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

## Activities

Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Caribou Lake #1
- Caribou Lake #2
- Caribou Lake #3
- Caribou Lake #4

## Fish Species

No DNR fish survey on file

## Invasive Species

spiny waterflea. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [Clearwater Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/clearwater-lake) - 0.9 miles, 1,344 acres
- [Moon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/moon-lake) - 1.4 miles, 148 acres
- [Alder Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/alder-lake) - 1.8 miles, 529 acres
- [Watap Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/watap-lake) - 2.3 miles, 199 acres
- [Crocodile Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/crocodile-lake) - 2.5 miles, 295 acres
- [East Bearskin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/east-bearskin-lake) - 3.2 miles, 593 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.06979,-90.30841)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16014100)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

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