Long Island Lake
About Long Island Lake
Long Island Lake is an 884-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 85 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 23.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.7 feet. 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 6 fish species here, including northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, and burbot. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 4 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Long Island Lake
- 884 acres, up to 85 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, and burbot
- Average water clarity around 9.7 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
- 884 acres
- Max depth
- 85 ft
- Shoreline
- 23.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 310 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 (4 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
- 6
- Game fish
- 5
- Stocked
- No
- 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.
Camping & Reservations
4 campgrounds are mapped on or near Long Island 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 Long Island Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Karl Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais121 acres
0.7 miles away
Gordon Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais135 acres
2.2 miles away
Davis Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen323 acres
3 miles away
Frost Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte284 acres
3.1 miles away
Kiskadinna Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais121 acres
3.5 miles away
Cherokee Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte837 acres
3.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Long Island Lake?
Long Island Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 884 acres and reaches 85 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Long Island Lake?
Long Island Lake covers 884 acres with about 23.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 85 feet.
What fish can you catch at Long Island Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, and Burbot. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Long Island Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Long Island Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Long Island 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 Long Island Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Long Island Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Long Island Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.