---
type: lake
name: "Iron Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Grand Marais"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 122
max_depth_ft: 19
latitude: 48.06562
longitude: -90.60155
lake_score: 50
dnr_lake_id: "16032800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/iron-lake
---

# Iron Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais

- **Surface Area**: 122 acres
- **Max Depth**: 19 ft
- **Shoreline**: 7.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 50/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 8
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Iron Lake Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Splake, Rock Bass, Green Sunfish, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/portage-lake) - 0.7 miles, 128 acres
- [Mayhew Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/mayhew-lake) - 1 miles, 221 acres
- [Rush Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/rush-lake) - 1.7 miles, 261 acres
- [Little Iron Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/little-iron-lake) - 2 miles, 115 acres
- [Skipper Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/skipper-lake) - 2 miles, 107 acres
- [Birch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/birch-lake) - 3.1 miles, 236 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.06562,-90.60155)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16032800)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

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