Pine Lake
About Pine Lake
Pine Lake is a 98-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 34 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 15 feet, and has roughly 3.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.8 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 3 fish species here, including bluegill and splake. 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 2018.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 2 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Pine Lake
- 98 acres, up to 34 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: bluegill and splake
- Average water clarity around 10.8 feet
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 98 acres
- Max depth
- 34 ft
- Average depth
- 15 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 10.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 44 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
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- Camping (2 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 3
- Game fish
- 2
- Stocked
- Yes
- 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
2 campgrounds 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.
See how Pine Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Pine Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Pine Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
West Twin Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais134 acres
0.6 miles away
East Twin Lake
38 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais173 acres
1.1 miles away
Kemo Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais189 acres
1.2 miles away
Junco Lake
20 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill41 acres
2.4 miles away
Two Island Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais754 acres
3.1 miles away
Musquash Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais131 acres
3.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pine Lake?
Pine Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 98 acres and reaches 34 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Pine Lake?
Pine Lake covers 98 acres with about 3.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 34 feet and its average depth is about 15 feet.
What fish can you catch at Pine Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Bluegill and Splake. 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: carry-in 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. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.