Greenwood Lake
About Greenwood Lake
Greenwood Lake is a 2,043-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 112 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 23.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 16.5 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, brook trout, and tullibee (cisco). The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around May 8, based on 20 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Greenwood Lake
- 2,043 acres, up to 112 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, brook trout, and tullibee (cisco)
- Average water clarity around 16.5 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
- Listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 2,043 acres
- Max depth
- 112 ft
- Shoreline
- 23.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 16.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 537 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
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Camping (1 mapped)
Best For
- Northern Pike fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 9
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- May 8
- Years of record
- 20
- Earliest
- April 10, 2012
- Latest
- May 24, 2014
- Most recent
- May 12, 2025
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
1 campground is mapped on or near Greenwood 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 Greenwood Lake
Compare Greenwood Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Greenwood Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Greenwood Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Greenwood Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Greenwood Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Greenwood Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Esther Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland78 acres
3.2 miles away
Devilfish Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland405 acres
3.3 miles away
Long Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland148 acres
3.7 miles away
Stump Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland254 acres
3.8 miles away
Chester Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland52 acres
4.3 miles away
Pine Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland2,122 acres
4.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Greenwood Lake?
Greenwood Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 2,043 acres and reaches 112 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Greenwood Lake?
Greenwood Lake covers 2,043 acres with about 23.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 112 feet.
What fish can you catch at Greenwood Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Brook Trout, Tullibee (Cisco), and Lake Whitefish. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Greenwood Lake?
Yes. Greenwood Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Greenwood Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Greenwood 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 Greenwood Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Greenwood Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Greenwood Lake?
The median ice-out date is May 8, from 20 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 10, 2012 and the latest is May 24, 2014.
Can you camp at Greenwood Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Greenwood Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Greenwood Lake as infested with spiny waterflea. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.