---
type: lake
name: "Gneiss Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Grand Marais"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 227
max_depth_ft: 70
latitude: 48.17502
longitude: -90.80634
lake_score: 39
dnr_lake_id: "16061700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/gneiss-lake
---

# Gneiss Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais

- **Surface Area**: 227 acres
- **Max Depth**: 70 ft
- **Average Depth**: 27 ft
- **Shoreline**: 7.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 10.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 39/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with Canada

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Activities

Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Maraboeuf Lake #6
- Maraboeuf Lake #4
- Gneiss Lake #2
- Gneiss Lake #1

## Fish Species

No DNR fish survey on file

## Nearby Lakes

- [Marabaeuf Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/marabaeuf-lake) - 1.8 miles, 860 acres
- [Granite Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/granite-lake) - 2.3 miles, 306 acres
- [Clove Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/clove-lake) - 2.6 miles, 160 acres
- [Larch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/larch-lake) - 2.9 miles, 132 acres
- [Gull Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/gull-lake) - 4.4 miles, 168 acres
- [Magnetic Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/magnetic-lake) - 5.2 miles, 447 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.17502,-90.80634)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16061700)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/gneiss-lake)*