Ham Lake
About Ham Lake
Ham Lake is an 119-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 40 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.3 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 1998.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 4 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Ham Lake
- 119 acres, up to 40 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 6.3 feet
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 119 acres
- Max depth
- 40 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 6.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 49 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
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- Camping (4 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 5
- Game fish
- 4
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 1998
- 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
4 campgrounds are mapped on or near Ham 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 Ham Lake
Compare Ham Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Ham Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Ham Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Snipe Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen115 acres
1.3 miles away
Round Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais154 acres
1.5 miles away
Brandt Lake
38 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Prairie Portage111 acres
2.8 miles away
Magnetic Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill447 acres
3.7 miles away
Karl Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais121 acres
3.8 miles away
Tuscarora Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais805 acres
4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ham Lake?
Ham Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 119 acres and reaches 40 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Ham Lake?
Ham Lake covers 119 acres with about 3.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 40 feet.
What fish can you catch at Ham Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Ham Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Ham Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Ham 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 Ham Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Ham Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Ham Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.