Mayhew Lake
About Mayhew Lake
Mayhew Lake is a 221-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 84 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 33 feet, and has roughly 5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 19.5 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch, lake trout, and rainbow trout. 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 Mayhew Lake
- 221 acres, up to 84 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: northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch, lake trout, and rainbow trout
- Average water clarity around 19.5 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 221 acres
- Max depth
- 84 ft
- Average depth
- 33 ft
- Shoreline
- 5 mi
- Water clarity
- 19.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 34 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
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
- 8
- 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 Mayhew Lake
Compare Mayhew Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Iron Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais122 acres
1 miles away
Portage Lake
35 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais128 acres
1.2 miles away
South Lake
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2.4 miles away
Skipper Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill107 acres
2.4 miles away
Little Iron Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais115 acres
2.6 miles away
Rush Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill261 acres
2.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mayhew Lake?
Mayhew Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 221 acres and reaches 84 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Mayhew Lake?
Mayhew Lake covers 221 acres with about 5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 84 feet and its average depth is about 33 feet.
What fish can you catch at Mayhew Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, and Rainbow Trout. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Mayhew Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Mayhew Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Mayhew 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 Mayhew Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Mayhew Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.