Little Saganaga Lake
About Little Saganaga Lake
Little Saganaga Lake is a 1,627-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 150 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 43.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.1 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state. Access is by portage through Superior National Forest; most lakes reached this way lie in or beside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where an entry permit is required.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including northern pike, yellow perch, lake trout, and burbot. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 11 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Little Saganaga Lake
- 1,627 acres, up to 150 feet deep, near Tofte
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, yellow perch, lake trout, and burbot
- Average water clarity around 10.1 feet
- Camping close to the water
- Boundary Waters country: entry permit required, no cans or glass bottles, and motors are restricted on most lakes
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Portage access only
- Launch fee
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,627 acres
- Max depth
- 150 ft
- Shoreline
- 43.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 10.1 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 428 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
- A BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 1 portage access
- Camping (11 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 5
- Game fish
- 4
- 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
11 campgrounds are mapped on or near Little Saganaga 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 Saganaga Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Elm Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte109 acres
1.4 miles away
Elton Lake
34 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage124 acres
2.3 miles away
Peter Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte282 acres
2.3 miles away
Gabimichigami Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte1,186 acres
2.3 miles away
Mora Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte210 acres
2.7 miles away
Howard Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte166 acres
3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Saganaga Lake?
Little Saganaga Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte. It covers 1,627 acres and reaches 150 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Saganaga Lake?
Little Saganaga Lake covers 1,627 acres with about 43.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 150 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Saganaga Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, and Burbot. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Saganaga Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Little Saganaga Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Saganaga 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 Saganaga Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Little Saganaga Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Little Saganaga Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.