---
type: lake
name: "Paulson Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Grand Marais"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 121
max_depth_ft: 60
latitude: 48.09907
longitude: -90.90781
lake_score: 44
dnr_lake_id: "16062600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/paulson-lake
---

# Paulson Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais

- **Surface Area**: 121 acres
- **Max Depth**: 60 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 19.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Public access on record
- **Lake Score**: 44/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Paulson Lake is a 121-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 60 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 19.5 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

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. 2 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.

## Access

- **Public access**: Public access on record
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Activities

Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Campground

## Fish Species

No DNR fish survey on file

## Nearby Lakes

- [Sea Gull Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/sea-gull-lake) - 2.5 miles, 3,958 acres
- [Brandt Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/brandt-lake) - 2.7 miles, 111 acres
- [French Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/french-lake) - 2.9 miles, 121 acres
- [Gillis Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/gillis-lake) - 3.2 miles, 616 acres
- [Round Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/round-lake) - 3.8 miles, 154 acres
- [Howard Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/howard-lake) - 3.8 miles, 166 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.09907,-90.90781)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16062600)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

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