Little Gunflint Lake
About Little Gunflint Lake
Little Gunflint Lake is an 111-acre lake near Maple Hill in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 16 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including northern pike, smallmouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and rock bass. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 1990.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. 4 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Little Gunflint Lake
- 111 acres, up to 16 feet deep, near Maple Hill
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, smallmouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 12 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
- Border water with Canada — know which side of the line you are fishing on
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 111 acres
- Max depth
- 16 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 12 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 94 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
- Border-water seasons and limits with Canada differ from Minnesota inland rules
Facilities
- Camping (4 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
- 7
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 1990
- 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
4 campgrounds are mapped on or near Little Gunflint 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 Gunflint Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Mayhew Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais221 acres
2.7 miles away
South Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill1,145 acres
3 miles away
Iron Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais122 acres
3.4 miles away
North Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais2,349 acres
3.6 miles away
Portage Lake
35 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais128 acres
3.8 miles away
Little Iron Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais115 acres
3.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Gunflint Lake?
Little Gunflint Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Maple Hill. It covers 111 acres and reaches 16 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Gunflint Lake?
Little Gunflint Lake covers 111 acres with about 6.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 16 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Gunflint Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Gunflint Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Little Gunflint Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Gunflint 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 Gunflint Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Little Gunflint Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Little Gunflint Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.