Daniels Lake
About Daniels Lake
Daniels Lake is a 509-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 90 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 16.2 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, and burbot. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. Daniels Lake #2 and Daniels Lake #4 are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Daniels Lake
- 509 acres, up to 90 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, and burbot
- Average water clarity around 16.2 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water at Daniels Lake #2 and Daniels Lake #4
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 509 acres
- Max depth
- 90 ft
- Shoreline
- 7.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 16.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 86 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
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 2 carry-in accesses
- Camping: Daniels Lake #2, Daniels Lake #4, and Daniels Lake #3
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 5
- Game fish
- 4
- 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
Daniels Lake #2, Daniels Lake #4, Daniels Lake #3, and Daniels Lake #1 are mapped on or near Daniels 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 Daniels Lake
Compare Daniels Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
Bearskin Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais509 acres
1.2 miles away
Hungry Jack Lake
71 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais474 acres
2 miles away
Flour Lake
83 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais330 acres
2.3 miles away
Rose Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill1,410 acres
2.4 miles away
Duncan Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais477 acres
2.7 miles away
Aspen Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais141 acres
2.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Daniels Lake?
Daniels Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 509 acres and reaches 90 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Daniels Lake?
Daniels Lake covers 509 acres with about 7.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 90 feet.
What fish can you catch at Daniels Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, and Burbot. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Daniels Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Daniels Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Daniels 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 Daniels Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Daniels Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Daniels Lake?
Yes. Daniels Lake #2, Daniels Lake #4, and Daniels Lake #3 are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.