Gabimichigami Lake
About Gabimichigami Lake
Gabimichigami Lake is a 1,186-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 209 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 15.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13.3 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state. 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.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 15 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Gabimichigami Lake
- 1,186 acres, up to 209 feet deep, near Tofte
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 13.3 feet — very clear
- 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
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,186 acres
- Max depth
- 209 ft
- Shoreline
- 15.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 13.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 144 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
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 1 portage access
- Camping (15 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
15 campgrounds are mapped on or near Gabimichigami 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 Gabimichigami Lake
Compare Gabimichigami Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
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48 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte166 acres
1.9 miles away
Peter Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte282 acres
2 miles away
Little Saganaga Lake
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Elm Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte109 acres
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Ogishkemuncie Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely762 acres
3.2 miles away
Jasper Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais246 acres
3.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gabimichigami Lake?
Gabimichigami Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte. It covers 1,186 acres and reaches 209 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Gabimichigami Lake?
Gabimichigami Lake covers 1,186 acres with about 15.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 209 feet.
What fish can you catch at Gabimichigami Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Gabimichigami Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Gabimichigami Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Gabimichigami Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Gabimichigami 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 Gabimichigami Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.