North Temperance Lake
About North Temperance Lake
North Temperance Lake is an 185-acre lake near Lutsen in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 50 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 17 feet, and has roughly 7.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. 9 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to North Temperance Lake
- 185 acres, up to 50 feet deep, near Lutsen
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 12 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 185 acres
- Max depth
- 50 ft
- Average depth
- 17 ft
- Shoreline
- 7.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 12 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 84 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
Facilities
- Camping (9 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
9 campgrounds are mapped on or near North Temperance 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 Temperance Lake
Compare North Temperance Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
South Temperance Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen214 acres
1.1 miles away
Cherokee Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte837 acres
1.3 miles away
Gordon Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais135 acres
2.8 miles away
Frost Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte284 acres
3.5 miles away
Juno Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen216 acres
3.5 miles away
Jack Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen113 acres
3.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is North Temperance Lake?
North Temperance Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Lutsen. It covers 185 acres and reaches 50 feet deep.
How big and how deep is North Temperance Lake?
North Temperance Lake covers 185 acres with about 7.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 50 feet and its average depth is about 17 feet.
What fish can you catch at North Temperance Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for North Temperance Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on North Temperance Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at North Temperance Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at North Temperance 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 Temperance Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.