Davis Lake
About Davis Lake
Davis Lake is a 323-acre lake near Lutsen in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 64 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 10.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.8 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. 2 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Davis Lake
- 323 acres, up to 64 feet deep, near Lutsen
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 12.8 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 323 acres
- Max depth
- 64 ft
- Shoreline
- 10.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 12.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 53 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
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- Camping (2 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
2 campgrounds are mapped on or near Davis 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 Davis Lake
Compare Davis Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Kiskadinna Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais121 acres
1.7 miles away
Long Island Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais884 acres
3 miles away
Karl Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais121 acres
3.7 miles away
Brule Lake
70 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais4,327 acres
3.7 miles away
Gordon Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais135 acres
4.1 miles away
Banadad Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill178 acres
4.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Davis Lake?
Davis Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Lutsen. It covers 323 acres and reaches 64 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Davis Lake?
Davis Lake covers 323 acres with about 10.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 64 feet.
What fish can you catch at Davis Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Davis Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Davis Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Davis Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Davis 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 Davis Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.