Phoebe Lake
About Phoebe Lake
Phoebe Lake is a 610-acre lake near Forest Center in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 25 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 10 feet, and has roughly 15.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 11.7 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 7 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2018.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 9 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Phoebe Lake
- 610 acres, up to 25 feet deep, near Forest Center
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 11.7 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
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 610 acres
- Max depth
- 25 ft
- Average depth
- 10 ft
- Shoreline
- 15.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 11.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 388 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 BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
Facilities
- 2 portage accesses
- Camping (9 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
- 7
- Game fish
- 4
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2018
- 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
9 campgrounds are mapped on or near Phoebe 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 Phoebe Lake
Compare Phoebe Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Phoebe Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Phoebe Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Phoebe Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Phoebe Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Grace Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Forest Center433 acres
2.2 miles away
Beth Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte170 acres
3 miles away
Kawasachong Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Forest Center162 acres
4.2 miles away
Kawishiwi Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Tofte372 acres
4.7 miles away
Alton Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte969 acres
4.8 miles away
Square Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella123 acres
5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Phoebe Lake?
Phoebe Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Forest Center. It covers 610 acres and reaches 25 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Phoebe Lake?
Phoebe Lake covers 610 acres with about 15.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 25 feet and its average depth is about 10 feet.
What fish can you catch at Phoebe Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Phoebe Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Phoebe Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Phoebe 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 Phoebe Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Phoebe Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Phoebe Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.