Gillis Lake
About Gillis Lake
Gillis Lake is a 616-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 180 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 16 feet, and has roughly 11.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 16.8 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota. 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 4 fish species here, including yellow perch, lake trout, and burbot. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 8 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Gillis Lake
- 616 acres, up to 180 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: yellow perch, lake trout, and burbot
- Average water clarity around 16.8 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
- 616 acres
- Max depth
- 180 ft
- Average depth
- 16 ft
- Shoreline
- 11.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 16.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 88 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 trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
- 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 (8 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 4
- Game fish
- 3
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- 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
8 campgrounds are mapped on or near Gillis 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 Gillis Lake
Compare Gillis Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
French Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais121 acres
1 miles away
Crooked Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais244 acres
1.1 miles away
Elm Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte109 acres
2.1 miles away
Peter Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte282 acres
2.3 miles away
Mora Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte210 acres
2.4 miles away
Tuscarora Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais805 acres
2.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gillis Lake?
Gillis Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 616 acres and reaches 180 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Gillis Lake?
Gillis Lake covers 616 acres with about 11.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 180 feet and its average depth is about 16 feet.
What fish can you catch at Gillis Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, and Burbot. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Gillis Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Gillis Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Gillis 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 Gillis Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Gillis Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Gillis Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.