---
type: lake
name: "McDonald Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Grand Marais"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 86
max_depth_ft: 8
latitude: 47.86262
longitude: -90.52455
lake_score: 36
dnr_lake_id: "16023500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/mcdonald-lake
---

# McDonald Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais

- **Surface Area**: 86 acres
- **Max Depth**: 8 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 36/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

McDonald Lake is an 86-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 8 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.3 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 6 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2017.

Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 6
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2017
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling

## Amenities

Carry-In Access

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Dick Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/dick-lake) - 1.4 miles, 127 acres
- [Two Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/two-island-lake) - 2.8 miles, 754 acres
- [Ball Club Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/ball-club-lake) - 3.7 miles, 206 acres
- [Kemo Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/kemo-lake) - 5.1 miles, 189 acres
- [Cascade Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/cascade-lake) - 5.3 miles, 452 acres
- [Devil Track Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/devil-track-lake) - 5.4 miles, 1,876 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.86262,-90.52455)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16023500)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/mcdonald-lake)*