East Pike Lake
About East Pike Lake
East Pike Lake is a 554-acre lake near Hovland in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 40 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 9.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 16.6 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
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. East Pike Lake #1 and East Pike Lake #2 are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to East Pike Lake
- 554 acres, up to 40 feet deep, near Hovland
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 16.6 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water at East Pike Lake #1 and East Pike Lake #2
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 554 acres
- Max depth
- 40 ft
- Shoreline
- 9.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 16.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 124 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
- Camping: East Pike Lake #1, East Pike Lake #2, and East Pike 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
East Pike Lake #1, East Pike Lake #2, and East Pike Lake #3 are mapped on or near East Pike 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 East Pike Lake
Compare East Pike Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
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Stump Lake
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McFarland Lake
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John Lake
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Pine Lake
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2.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is East Pike Lake?
East Pike Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Hovland. It covers 554 acres and reaches 40 feet deep.
How big and how deep is East Pike Lake?
East Pike Lake covers 554 acres with about 9.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 40 feet.
What fish can you catch at East Pike Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for East Pike Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on East Pike Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at East Pike Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at East Pike 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 East Pike Lake?
Yes. East Pike Lake #1, East Pike Lake #2, and East Pike Lake #3 are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.