---
type: lake
name: "Deer Yard Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Lutsen"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 343
max_depth_ft: 20
latitude: 47.73127
longitude: -90.60332
lake_score: 32
dnr_lake_id: "16025300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/deer-yard-lake
---

# Deer Yard Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Lutsen

- **Surface Area**: 343 acres
- **Max Depth**: 20 ft
- **Shoreline**: 5.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 9.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 32/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Deer Yard Lake is a 343-acre lake near Lutsen in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 20 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.1 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 2 fish species here, including walleye. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2018.

Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 2
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2018
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling

## Amenities

Carry-In Access

## Fish Species

Walleye, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Pike Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/pike-lake) - 2.4 miles, 814 acres
- [Caribou Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/caribou-lake) - 3 miles, 721 acres
- [Mark Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/mark-lake) - 3.8 miles, 126 acres
- [Mistletoe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/mistletoe-lake) - 5.2 miles, 145 acres
- [Holly Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/holly-lake) - 5.4 miles, 76 acres
- [Christine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/christine-lake) - 5.8 miles, 184 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.73127,-90.60332)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16025300)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

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