Pine Lake
About Pine Lake
Pine Lake is a 2,122-acre lake near Hovland in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 113 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 18.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 17.9 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota. 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 9 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, and burbot. 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 2025.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. Pine Lake #10 and Pine Lake #9 are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.
Plan Your Visit to Pine Lake
- 2,122 acres, up to 113 feet deep, near Hovland
- 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, yellow perch, lake trout, and burbot
- Average water clarity around 17.9 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water at Pine Lake #10 and Pine Lake #9
- Boundary Waters country: entry permit required, no cans or glass bottles, and motors are restricted on most lakes
- Listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Portage access only
- Launch fee
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 2,122 acres
- Max depth
- 113 ft
- Shoreline
- 18.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 17.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 366 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
- A BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 2 portage accesses
- Camping: Pine Lake #10, Pine Lake #9, and Pine Lake #8
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 9
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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
Pine Lake #10, Pine Lake #9, Pine Lake #8, and Pine Lake #7 are mapped on or near Pine 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 Pine Lake
Compare Pine Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Pine Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Pine Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Long Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland148 acres
1.6 miles away
West Pike Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais788 acres
2.2 miles away
Stump Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland254 acres
2.4 miles away
East Pike Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland554 acres
2.9 miles away
Lake Crystal
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill206 acres
3.1 miles away
Mountain Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais1,993 acres
4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pine Lake?
Pine Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Hovland. It covers 2,122 acres and reaches 113 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Pine Lake?
Pine Lake covers 2,122 acres with about 18.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 113 feet.
What fish can you catch at Pine Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), and Lake Whitefish. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Pine Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Pine Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Pine 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 Pine Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Pine Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Pine Lake?
Yes. Pine Lake #10, Pine Lake #9, and Pine Lake #8 are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Pine Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Pine Lake as infested with spiny waterflea. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.