Karl Lake
About Karl Lake
Karl Lake is a 121-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 70 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.6 feet.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
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. 12 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Karl Lake
- 121 acres, up to 70 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 9.6 feet
- Swim beach on or beside the lake
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 121 acres
- Max depth
- 70 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 70 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 (12 mapped)
Best For
- Swimming and beach days
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
12 campgrounds are mapped on or near Karl 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 Karl Lake
Compare Karl Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Long Island Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais884 acres
0.7 miles away
Gordon Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais135 acres
2.3 miles away
Frost Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte284 acres
2.9 miles away
Snipe Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen115 acres
3.4 miles away
Davis Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen323 acres
3.7 miles away
Ham Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais119 acres
3.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Karl Lake?
Karl Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 121 acres and reaches 70 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Karl Lake?
Karl Lake covers 121 acres with about 5.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 70 feet.
What fish can you catch at Karl Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Karl Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Karl Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Karl 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.
Can you camp at Karl Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.