Gneiss Lake
About Gneiss Lake
Gneiss Lake is a 227-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 70 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 27 feet, and has roughly 7.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.3 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.
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. Maraboeuf Lake #6 and Maraboeuf Lake #4 are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Gneiss Lake
- 227 acres, up to 70 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 10.3 feet
- Camping close to the water at Maraboeuf Lake #6 and Maraboeuf Lake #4
- Border water with Canada — know which side of the line you are fishing on
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 227 acres
- Max depth
- 70 ft
- Average depth
- 27 ft
- Shoreline
- 7.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 10.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 79 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
- Border-water seasons and limits with Canada differ from Minnesota inland rules
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- Camping: Maraboeuf Lake #6, Maraboeuf Lake #4, and Gneiss Lake #2
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
Maraboeuf Lake #6, Maraboeuf Lake #4, Gneiss Lake #2, and Gneiss Lake #1 are mapped on or near Gneiss 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 Gneiss Lake
Compare Gneiss Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Marabaeuf Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais860 acres
1.8 miles away
Granite Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Prairie Portage306 acres
2.3 miles away
Clove Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Prairie Portage160 acres
2.6 miles away
Larch Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais132 acres
2.9 miles away
Gull Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais168 acres
4.4 miles away
Magnetic Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill447 acres
5.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gneiss Lake?
Gneiss Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 227 acres and reaches 70 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Gneiss Lake?
Gneiss Lake covers 227 acres with about 7.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 70 feet and its average depth is about 27 feet.
What fish can you catch at Gneiss Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Gneiss Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Gneiss Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Gneiss Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Gneiss 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 Gneiss Lake?
Yes. Maraboeuf Lake #6, Maraboeuf Lake #4, and Gneiss Lake #2 are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.