Mesaba Lake
About Mesaba Lake
Mesaba Lake is a 213-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 65 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 24 feet, and has roughly 6.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10 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 4 fish species here, including northern pike and lake trout. 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. 3 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Mesaba Lake
- 213 acres, up to 65 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 and lake trout
- Average water clarity around 10 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
- 213 acres
- Max depth
- 65 ft
- Average depth
- 24 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 10 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 85 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
- 3 portage accesses
- Camping (3 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 4
- Game fish
- 2
- 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
3 campgrounds are mapped on or near Mesaba 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 Mesaba Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Wine Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte268 acres
1.7 miles away
Mora Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte210 acres
3.7 miles away
Kelso Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Forest Center133 acres
4.9 miles away
Elm Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte109 acres
5 miles away
Crooked Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais244 acres
5 miles away
Little Saganaga Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte1,627 acres
5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mesaba Lake?
Mesaba Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte. It covers 213 acres and reaches 65 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Mesaba Lake?
Mesaba Lake covers 213 acres with about 6.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 65 feet and its average depth is about 24 feet.
What fish can you catch at Mesaba Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike and Lake Trout. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Mesaba Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Mesaba Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Mesaba 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 Mesaba Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Mesaba Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Mesaba Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.