Frost Lake
About Frost Lake
Frost Lake is a 284-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 88 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 11.6 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.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. 5 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Frost Lake
- 284 acres, up to 88 feet deep, near Tofte
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 11.6 feet
- Swim beach on or beside the lake
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 284 acres
- Max depth
- 88 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 11.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 62 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
Facilities
- Swim beach
- Camping (5 mapped)
Best For
- Swimming and beach days
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
5 campgrounds are mapped on or near Frost 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 Frost Lake
Compare Frost Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Gordon Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais135 acres
1.2 miles away
Cherokee Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte837 acres
2.2 miles away
Karl Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais121 acres
2.9 miles away
Long Island Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais884 acres
3.1 miles away
North Temperance Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen185 acres
3.5 miles away
Snipe Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen115 acres
4.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Frost Lake?
Frost Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte. It covers 284 acres and reaches 88 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Frost Lake?
Frost Lake covers 284 acres with about 4.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 88 feet.
What fish can you catch at Frost Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Frost Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Frost Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Frost Lake?
Yes. A swim beach is mapped on or beside the lake. Most Minnesota beaches have no lifeguard, so swim at your own risk and check for beach advisories.
Can you camp at Frost Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.