Hungry Jack Lake
About Hungry Jack Lake
Hungry Jack Lake is a 474-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 71 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 8.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 15.3 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to smallmouth bass, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2020.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Hungry Jack Campground and Camp Menogyn are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around May 5, based on 17 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Hungry Jack Lake
- 474 acres, up to 71 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, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 15.3 feet — very clear
- Swim beach on or beside the lake
- Camping close to the water at Hungry Jack Campground and Camp Menogyn
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 474 acres
- Max depth
- 71 ft
- Shoreline
- 8.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 15.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 187 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
- Swim beach
- Camping: Hungry Jack Campground and Camp Menogyn
Best For
- Swimming and beach days
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 9
- Game fish
- 5
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2020
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Special regulations on this lake
- Smallmouth Bass: All from 14-20" must be immediately released. One over 20" allowed in possession.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- May 5
- Years of record
- 17
- Earliest
- March 28, 2012
- Latest
- May 13, 2023
- Most recent
- May 8, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Hungry Jack Campground and Camp Menogyn are mapped on or near Hungry Jack 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 Hungry Jack Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Bearskin Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais509 acres
0.8 miles away
Aspen Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais141 acres
1.5 miles away
Leo Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais102 acres
1.8 miles away
Daniels Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais509 acres
2 miles away
Duncan Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais477 acres
2.1 miles away
Moss Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais254 acres
2.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hungry Jack Lake?
Hungry Jack Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 474 acres and reaches 71 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Hungry Jack Lake?
Hungry Jack Lake covers 474 acres with about 8.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 71 feet.
What fish can you catch at Hungry Jack Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Hungry Jack Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Hungry Jack Lake?
Yes. A swim beach is mapped on or beside the lake. Most Minnesota beaches have no lifeguard, so swim at your own risk and check for beach advisories.
Is Hungry Jack Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Hungry Jack Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Hungry Jack Lake?
Yes. All from 14-20" must be immediately released. One over 20" allowed in possession.
When does the ice go out on Hungry Jack Lake?
The median ice-out date is May 5, from 17 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 28, 2012 and the latest is May 13, 2023.
Can you camp at Hungry Jack Lake?
Yes. Hungry Jack Campground and Camp Menogyn are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.