---
type: lake
name: "French Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Grand Marais"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 121
max_depth_ft: 130
latitude: 48.06592
longitude: -90.94653
lake_score: 41
dnr_lake_id: "16075500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/french-lake
---

# French Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais

- **Surface Area**: 121 acres
- **Max Depth**: 130 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 10.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 41/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

French Lake is a 121-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 130 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.7 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

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. 6 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

- [Gillis Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/gillis-lake) - 1 miles, 616 acres
- [Peter Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/peter-lake) - 1.5 miles, 282 acres
- [Howard Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/howard-lake) - 1.9 miles, 166 acres
- [Crooked Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/crooked-lake) - 2 miles, 244 acres
- [Elm Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/elm-lake) - 2.1 miles, 109 acres
- [Paulson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/paulson-lake) - 2.9 miles, 121 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.06592,-90.94653)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16075500)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

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