---
type: lake
name: "Gunflint Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Grand Marais"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 4009
max_depth_ft: 200
latitude: 48.09813
longitude: -90.69574
lake_score: 86
dnr_lake_id: "16035600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/gunflint-lake
---

# Gunflint Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais

- **Surface Area**: 4,009 acres
- **Max Depth**: 200 ft
- **Shoreline**: 39.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 16.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 86/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with Canada

## About

Gunflint Lake is a 4,009-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 200 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 39.2 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 3 among the 171 Cook County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 16.3 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, and lake trout. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Gunflint Pines Resort & 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 6, based on 80 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 11
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Gunflint Pines Resort & Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Rainbow Smelt, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

spiny waterflea. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: May 6
- **Years of record**: 80
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-23
- **Latest**: 1936-06-03

## Nearby Lakes

- [Loon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/loon-lake) - 1.4 miles, 1,095 acres
- [Magnetic Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/magnetic-lake) - 2.8 miles, 447 acres
- [Tucker Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/tucker-lake) - 2.9 miles, 147 acres
- [Little Iron Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/little-iron-lake) - 3.3 miles, 115 acres
- [Little Gunflint Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/little-gunflint-lake) - 4.4 miles, 111 acres
- [Banadad Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/banadad-lake) - 4.4 miles, 178 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.09813,-90.69574)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16035600)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

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