Little Iron Lake
About Little Iron Lake
Little Iron Lake is an 115-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 18 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch, 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.
Plan Your Visit to Little Iron Lake
- 115 acres, up to 18 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: walleye, northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch, and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 5.8 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service, Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 115 acres
- Max depth
- 18 ft
- Shoreline
- 7.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 5.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 78 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
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
- 7
- Game fish
- 5
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- 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 Little Iron Lake
Compare Little Iron Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Rush Lake
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1.9 miles away
Iron Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais122 acres
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Banadad Lake
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Tucker Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais147 acres
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Loon Lake
75 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais1,095 acres
2.4 miles away
Mayhew Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais221 acres
2.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Iron Lake?
Little Iron Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 115 acres and reaches 18 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Iron Lake?
Little Iron Lake covers 115 acres with about 7.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 18 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Iron Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Iron Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Little Iron Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Iron 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 Iron Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Little Iron Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.