Mink Lake
About Mink Lake
Mink Lake is a 57-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 15 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 10 feet, and has roughly 1.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.9 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 4 fish species here, including yellow perch, rainbow trout, brook trout, and splake. 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 2024.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.
Plan Your Visit to Mink Lake
- 57 acres, up to 15 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: yellow perch, rainbow trout, brook trout, and splake
- Average water clarity around 9.9 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 57 acres
- Max depth
- 15 ft
- Average depth
- 10 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 57 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
- 2 carry-in accesses
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
- 4
- Game fish
- 4
- Stocked
- Yes
- 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.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Mink Lake
Compare Mink Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Kimball Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais77 acres
0.5 miles away
Trout Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais259 acres
2.4 miles away
Northern Light Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais378 acres
2.6 miles away
Elbow Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais408 acres
3.5 miles away
Pine Mountain Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais106 acres
4 miles away
Binagami Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais117 acres
6.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mink Lake?
Mink Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 57 acres and reaches 15 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Mink Lake?
Mink Lake covers 57 acres with about 1.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 15 feet and its average depth is about 10 feet.
What fish can you catch at Mink Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Yellow Perch, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and Splake. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Mink Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Mink Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Mink 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 Mink Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Mink Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.