---
type: lake
name: "Elm Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Tofte"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 109
max_depth_ft: 77
latitude: 48.03922
longitude: -90.969
lake_score: 33
dnr_lake_id: "16072100"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/elm-lake
---

# Elm Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte

- **Surface Area**: 109 acres
- **Max Depth**: 77 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4 miles
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 33/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

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

## Activities

Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Campground

## Fish Species

No DNR fish survey on file

## Nearby Lakes

- [Little Saganaga Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/little-saganaga-lake) - 1.4 miles, 1,627 acres
- [Mora Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/mora-lake) - 1.8 miles, 210 acres
- [Peter Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/peter-lake) - 1.8 miles, 282 acres
- [Crooked Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/crooked-lake) - 1.8 miles, 244 acres
- [Gillis Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/gillis-lake) - 2.1 miles, 616 acres
- [French Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/french-lake) - 2.1 miles, 121 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.03922,-90.969)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16072100)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

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