Holly Lake
About Holly Lake
Holly Lake is a 76-acre lake near Lutsen in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 6 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 1.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.7 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. 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 2023.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the US Forest Service. Ice typically goes out around May 7, based on 6 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Holly Lake
- 76 acres, up to 6 feet deep, near Lutsen
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the US Forest Service
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 4.7 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 76 acres
- Max depth
- 6 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 4.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 76 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 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- 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
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- 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 7
- Years of record
- 6
- Earliest
- May 2, 2020
- Latest
- May 14, 2022
- Most recent
- May 6, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Holly Lake
Compare Holly Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Mistletoe Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen145 acres
0.6 miles away
Clara Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen388 acres
2 miles away
Tait Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen355 acres
2.9 miles away
Christine Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen184 acres
3.2 miles away
White Pine Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen346 acres
3.3 miles away
Rice Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen223 acres
3.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Holly Lake?
Holly Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Lutsen. It covers 76 acres and reaches 6 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Holly Lake?
Holly Lake covers 76 acres with about 1.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 6 feet.
What fish can you catch at Holly Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Holly Lake?
Yes. Holly Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the US Forest Service. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Holly Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Holly 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 Holly Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Holly Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Holly Lake?
The median ice-out date is May 7, from 6 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is May 2, 2020 and the latest is May 14, 2022.