Iron Lake
About Iron Lake
Iron Lake is a 122-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 19 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch, splake, and rock bass. 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.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. Iron Lake Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Iron Lake
- 122 acres, up to 19 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, bluegill, yellow perch, splake, and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 5.8 feet
- Camping close to the water at Iron Lake Campground
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR, US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 122 acres
- Max depth
- 19 ft
- Shoreline
- 7.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 5.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 73 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
- A trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
Facilities
- 2 carry-in accesses
- Camping: Iron Lake Campground
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
- 8
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- 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
Iron Lake Campground is mapped on or near Iron 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 Iron Lake
Compare Iron Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Iron Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Iron Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Portage Lake
35 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais128 acres
0.7 miles away
Mayhew Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais221 acres
1 miles away
Rush Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill261 acres
1.7 miles away
Little Iron Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais115 acres
2 miles away
Skipper Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill107 acres
2 miles away
Birch Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais236 acres
3.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Iron Lake?
Iron Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 122 acres and reaches 19 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Iron Lake?
Iron Lake covers 122 acres with about 7.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 19 feet.
What fish can you catch at Iron Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Splake, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Iron Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Iron Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Iron 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 Iron Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Iron Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Iron Lake?
Yes. Iron Lake Campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.