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Echo Lake

lakeCook County, Minnesota · near Maple Hill121 acres40 out of 100 Lake Score Lake Score

About Echo Lake

Echo Lake is a 121-acre lake near Maple Hill in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 12 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.4 miles of shoreline. Access is by portage through Superior National Forest; most lakes reached this way lie in or beside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where an entry permit is required.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 1991.

Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 7 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.

Plan Your Visit to Echo Lake

What to Know Before You Go
  • 121 acres, up to 12 feet deep, near Maple Hill
  • Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
  • Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch
  • Camping close to the water
  • Boundary Waters country: entry permit required, no cans or glass bottles, and motors are restricted on most lakes

Access & Fees

Public access
Portage access only
Launch fee
Permit or fee required
Managed by
US Forest Service
Wilderness permit
BWCAW permit required

Conditions

Surface area
121 acres
Max depth
12 ft
Shoreline
4.4 mi
Shallows (under 15 ft)
121 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 BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
  • Recorded accesses require a permit or fee

Facilities

  • 1 portage access
  • Camping (7 mapped)

Best For

  • Lakeside camping
  • Canoe tripping
Know Before You Go
  • 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
1991
Special regulations
No
Fishing pier
No
Ice fishing
Yes
Boat launch
No
View on DNR LakeFinder Buy a Minnesota fishing license

Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.

Camping & Reservations

7 campgrounds are mapped on or near Echo 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.

Backcountry sites

Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.

Activities

FishingIce FishingPaddlingCanoe TrippingCamping

Amenities

Carry-In AccessCampground

Fish Species

WalleyeNorthern PikeSmallmouth BassYellow PerchWhite Sucker

Plan your trip to Echo Lake

Compare Echo Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.

Best fishing lakes in Cook County

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Best camping lakes in Cook County

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Best paddling lakes in Cook County

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Best ice fishing lakes in Cook County

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Nearby Lakes

Vernon Lake

60 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Grand Marais240 acres

1.9 miles away

FishingIce FishingPaddlingCamping

Winchell Lake

49 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Grand Marais876 acres

2.8 miles away

PaddlingCanoe TrippingCamping

Brule Lake

70 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Grand Marais4,327 acres

2.9 miles away

FishingIce FishingBoatingPaddling

Star Lake

36 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Lutsen107 acres

3.6 miles away

FishingIce FishingPaddling

Henson Lake

41 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Grand Marais111 acres

4 miles away

FishingIce FishingPaddlingCamping

Swan Lake

41 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Grand Marais199 acres

4.1 miles away

PaddlingCanoe TrippingCamping

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Echo Lake?

Echo Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Maple Hill. It covers 121 acres and reaches 12 feet deep.

How big and how deep is Echo Lake?

Echo Lake covers 121 acres with about 4.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 12 feet.

What fish can you catch at Echo Lake?

Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.

Is there a public boat launch on Echo Lake?

Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.

Can you swim at Echo Lake?

There is no mapped public swim beach at Echo 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 Echo Lake stocked?

The DNR has no stocking report on file for Echo Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.

Can you camp at Echo Lake?

Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.