Little Cascade Lake
About Little Cascade Lake
Little Cascade Lake is a 262-acre lake near Lutsen in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 9 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.9 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 3 fish species here, including northern pike and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Little Cascade Lake
- 262 acres, up to 9 feet deep, near Lutsen
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 6.9 feet
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service, Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 262 acres
- Max depth
- 9 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 6.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 262 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
- 2 carry-in accesses
- Camping (1 mapped)
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
- 3
- Game fish
- 2
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- 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
1 campground is mapped on or near Little Cascade 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 Little Cascade Lake
Compare Little Cascade Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Little Cascade Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Little Cascade Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Little Cascade Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Little Cascade Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Cascade Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen452 acres
1.1 miles away
Gust Lake
34 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais143 acres
1.7 miles away
East Pipe Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen105 acres
3 miles away
Tait Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen355 acres
3.1 miles away
Kinogami Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen111 acres
3.3 miles away
Lichen Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen253 acres
3.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Cascade Lake?
Little Cascade Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Lutsen. It covers 262 acres and reaches 9 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Cascade Lake?
Little Cascade Lake covers 262 acres with about 4.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 9 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Cascade Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Cascade Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Little Cascade Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Cascade 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 Little Cascade Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Little Cascade Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Little Cascade Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.