---
type: lake
name: "Howard Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Tofte"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 166
max_depth_ft: 125
latitude: 48.07708
longitude: -90.9843
lake_score: 48
dnr_lake_id: "16078900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/howard-lake
---

# Howard Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte

- **Surface Area**: 166 acres
- **Max Depth**: 125 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 20 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Public access on record
- **Lake Score**: 48/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Howard Lake is a 166-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 125 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 20 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.

The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. 5 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.

## Access

- **Public access**: Public access on record
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Activities

Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Campground

## Fish Species

No DNR fish survey on file

## Nearby Lakes

- [Peter Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/peter-lake) - 0.9 miles, 282 acres
- [French Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/french-lake) - 1.9 miles, 121 acres
- [Gabimichigami Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/gabimichigami-lake) - 1.9 miles, 1,186 acres
- [Jasper Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/jasper-lake) - 2.7 miles, 246 acres
- [Elm Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/elm-lake) - 2.7 miles, 109 acres
- [Gillis Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/gillis-lake) - 2.9 miles, 616 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.07708,-90.9843)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16078900)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

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