Cherokee Lake
About Cherokee Lake
Cherokee Lake is an 837-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 142 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 20.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.2 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, lake trout, and burbot. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 16 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Cherokee Lake
- 837 acres, up to 142 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, lake trout, and burbot
- Average water clarity around 12.2 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
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 837 acres
- Max depth
- 142 ft
- Shoreline
- 20.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 12.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 87 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
- A BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 1 portage access
- Camping (16 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
- 2025
- 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
16 campgrounds are mapped on or near Cherokee 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 Cherokee Lake
Compare Cherokee Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Cherokee Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Cherokee Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Cherokee Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Cherokee Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
North Temperance Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen185 acres
1.3 miles away
Gordon Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais135 acres
1.8 miles away
Frost Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte284 acres
2.2 miles away
South Temperance Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen214 acres
2.2 miles away
Long Island Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais884 acres
3.8 miles away
Karl Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais121 acres
4.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cherokee Lake?
Cherokee Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte. It covers 837 acres and reaches 142 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Cherokee Lake?
Cherokee Lake covers 837 acres with about 20.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 142 feet.
What fish can you catch at Cherokee Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Lake Trout, and Burbot. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Cherokee Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Cherokee Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Cherokee 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 Cherokee Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Cherokee Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Cherokee Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.