Leo Lake
About Leo Lake
Leo Lake is a 102-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 28 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 17 feet, and has roughly 2.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13.2 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 3 fish species here, including smallmouth bass and rainbow trout. 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 2025.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.
Plan Your Visit to Leo Lake
- 102 acres, up to 28 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: smallmouth bass and rainbow trout
- Average water clarity around 13.2 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 102 acres
- Max depth
- 28 ft
- Average depth
- 17 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 13.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 38 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
- 1 carry-in access
Best For
- 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
- 3
- Game fish
- 2
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Leo Lake
Compare Leo Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Moss Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais254 acres
0.8 miles away
Poplar Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais764 acres
1.7 miles away
Duncan Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais477 acres
1.8 miles away
Hungry Jack Lake
71 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais474 acres
1.8 miles away
Swamp Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais181 acres
1.9 miles away
Partridge Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais118 acres
2.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Leo Lake?
Leo Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 102 acres and reaches 28 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Leo Lake?
Leo Lake covers 102 acres with about 2.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 28 feet and its average depth is about 17 feet.
What fish can you catch at Leo Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Smallmouth Bass and Rainbow Trout. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Leo Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Leo Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Leo 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 Leo Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Leo Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.