---
type: lake
name: "Clearwater Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Grand Marais"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1344
max_depth_ft: 130
latitude: 48.08061
longitude: -90.32076
lake_score: 70
dnr_lake_id: "16013900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/clearwater-lake
---

# Clearwater Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais

- **Surface Area**: 1,344 acres
- **Max Depth**: 130 ft
- **Average Depth**: 42 ft
- **Shoreline**: 18.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 27.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 70/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Clearwater Lake is a 1,344-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 130 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 42 feet, and has roughly 18.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 27.3 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 6 fish species here, including smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, and burbot. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the US Forest Service. Clearwater Lake #6 and Clearwater Lake #5 are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around May 5, based on 29 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 6
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Clearwater Lake #6
- Clearwater Lake #5
- Clearwater Lake #3
- Clearwater Lake #4

## Fish Species

Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Burbot, Green Sunfish, White Sucker

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: May 5
- **Years of record**: 29
- **Earliest**: 2012-04-03
- **Latest**: 2014-05-20

## Nearby Lakes

- [Caribou Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/caribou-lake-grand-marais) - 0.9 miles, 462 acres
- [Watap Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/watap-lake) - 1.4 miles, 199 acres
- [Moon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/moon-lake) - 1.6 miles, 148 acres
- [Alder Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/alder-lake) - 2.7 miles, 529 acres
- [Crocodile Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/crocodile-lake) - 3.1 miles, 295 acres
- [East Bearskin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/east-bearskin-lake) - 3.3 miles, 593 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.08061,-90.32076)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16013900)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

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