North Lake
About North Lake
North Lake is a 2,349-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 125 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 26.2 miles of shoreline. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. 3 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to North Lake
- 2,349 acres, up to 125 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Camping close to the water
- Border water with Canada — know which side of the line you are fishing on
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 2,349 acres
- Max depth
- 125 ft
- Shoreline
- 26.2 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 485 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
- Border-water seasons and limits with Canada differ from Minnesota inland rules
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Camping (3 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
3 campgrounds are mapped on or near North 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 North Lake
Compare North Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
South Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill1,145 acres
1.7 miles away
Dunn Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais101 acres
2.3 miles away
Partridge Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais118 acres
2.7 miles away
Birch Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais236 acres
3.2 miles away
Little Gunflint Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill111 acres
3.6 miles away
Duncan Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais477 acres
3.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is North Lake?
North Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 2,349 acres and reaches 125 feet deep.
How big and how deep is North Lake?
North Lake covers 2,349 acres with about 26.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 125 feet.
What fish can you catch at North Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for North Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on North Lake?
Yes. North Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at North Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at North 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.
Can you camp at North Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.