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Elm Lake

lakeCook County, Minnesota · near Tofte109 acres33 out of 100 Lake Score Lake Score

About Elm Lake

Elm Lake is a 109-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 77 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4 miles of shoreline.

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. 5 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.

Plan Your Visit to Elm Lake

What to Know Before You Go
  • 109 acres, up to 77 feet deep, near Tofte
  • Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
  • 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
109 acres
Max depth
77 ft
Shoreline
4 mi

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 (5 mapped)

Best For

  • Lakeside camping
  • Quiet paddling
Know Before You Go
  • Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake

Camping & Reservations

5 campgrounds are mapped on or near Elm 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

PaddlingCamping

Amenities

Carry-In AccessCampground

Fish Species

No survey on file

Plan your trip to Elm Lake

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

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Nearby Lakes

Little Saganaga Lake

57 out of 100 Lake Score

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1.4 miles away

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Mora Lake

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1.8 miles away

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Peter Lake

56 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Tofte282 acres

1.8 miles away

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Crooked Lake

50 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Grand Marais244 acres

1.8 miles away

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Gillis Lake

57 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Grand Marais616 acres

2.1 miles away

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French Lake

41 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Grand Marais121 acres

2.1 miles away

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Elm Lake?

Elm Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte. It covers 109 acres and reaches 77 feet deep.

How big and how deep is Elm Lake?

Elm Lake covers 109 acres with about 4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 77 feet.

What fish can you catch at Elm Lake?

The DNR has no fish survey on file for Elm Lake.

Is there a public boat launch on Elm Lake?

Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.

Can you swim at Elm Lake?

There is no mapped public swim beach at Elm 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 Elm Lake?

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