Gaskin Lake
About Gaskin Lake
Gaskin Lake is a 372-acre lake near Maple Hill in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 82 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 12.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.4 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.
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. 12 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Gaskin Lake
- 372 acres, up to 82 feet deep, near Maple Hill
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 9.4 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
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 372 acres
- Max depth
- 82 ft
- Shoreline
- 12.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 104 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 (12 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
12 campgrounds are mapped on or near Gaskin 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 Gaskin Lake
Compare Gaskin Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
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Winchell Lake
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Henson Lake
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Horseshoe Lake
34 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill188 acres
2.5 miles away
Vista Lake
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3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gaskin Lake?
Gaskin Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Maple Hill. It covers 372 acres and reaches 82 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Gaskin Lake?
Gaskin Lake covers 372 acres with about 12.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 82 feet.
What fish can you catch at Gaskin Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Gaskin Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Gaskin Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Gaskin Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Gaskin 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 Gaskin Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.