Finger Lake
About Finger Lake
Finger Lake is a 204-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 14 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.4 feet. 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, black crappie, and yellow perch. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 3 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Finger Lake
- 204 acres, up to 14 feet deep, near Tofte
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, black crappie, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 6.4 feet
- 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
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 204 acres
- Max depth
- 14 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 6.4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 204 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
Facilities
- 1 portage access
- Camping (3 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice fishing
- 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
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
3 campgrounds are mapped on or near Finger 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 Finger Lake
Compare Finger Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
Elbow Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Sawbill Landing528 acres
1.1 miles away
Toohey Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Schroeder369 acres
1.8 miles away
Frear Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Sawbill Landing317 acres
2.3 miles away
Four Mile Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte593 acres
2.3 miles away
Timber Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Sawbill Landing278 acres
2.3 miles away
Whitefish Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Tofte346 acres
2.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Finger Lake?
Finger Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte. It covers 204 acres and reaches 14 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Finger Lake?
Finger Lake covers 204 acres with about 2.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 14 feet.
What fish can you catch at Finger Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Finger Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Finger Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Finger 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 Finger Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Finger Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Finger Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.