Clove Lake
About Clove Lake
Clove Lake is a 160-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 25 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 15.5 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.
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. Pine Island Lake #1 and Clove Lake #1 are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Clove Lake
- 160 acres, up to 25 feet deep, near Prairie Portage
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 15.5 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water at Pine Island Lake #1 and Clove Lake #1
- Border water with Canada — know which side of the line you are fishing on
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 160 acres
- Max depth
- 25 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 15.5 ft
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
- Border-water seasons and limits with Canada differ from Minnesota inland rules
Facilities
- Camping: Pine Island Lake #1, Clove Lake #1, and Clove Lake #3
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
Pine Island Lake #1, Clove Lake #1, Clove Lake #3, and Clove Lake #2 are mapped on or near Clove 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 Clove Lake
Compare Clove Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Ham Lake
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Clove Lake?
Clove Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Prairie Portage. It covers 160 acres and reaches 25 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Clove Lake?
Clove Lake covers 160 acres with about 6.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 25 feet.
What fish can you catch at Clove Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Clove Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Clove Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Clove Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Clove 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 Clove Lake?
Yes. Pine Island Lake #1, Clove Lake #1, and Clove Lake #3 are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.