Henson Lake
About Henson Lake
Henson Lake is an 111-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 40 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.8 miles of shoreline.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including northern pike, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 1998.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. 12 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Henson Lake
- 111 acres, up to 40 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 111 acres
- Max depth
- 40 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.8 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 92 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
- Camping (12 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- 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
- 3
- 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
12 campgrounds are mapped on or near Henson 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 Henson Lake
Compare Henson Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
Winchell Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais876 acres
1.2 miles away
Rush Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill261 acres
2.4 miles away
Gaskin Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill372 acres
2.5 miles away
Meeds Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais351 acres
2.6 miles away
Skipper Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill107 acres
2.9 miles away
Banadad Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill178 acres
3.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Henson Lake?
Henson Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 111 acres and reaches 40 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Henson Lake?
Henson Lake covers 111 acres with about 6.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 40 feet.
What fish can you catch at Henson Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Henson Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Henson Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Henson 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 Henson Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Henson Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Henson Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.