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Pipe Lake

lakeCook County, Minnesota · near Lutsen285 acres42 out of 100 Lake Score Lake Score

About Pipe Lake

Pipe Lake is a 285-acre lake near Lutsen in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 33 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13 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. 2 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.

Plan Your Visit to Pipe Lake

What to Know Before You Go
  • 285 acres, up to 33 feet deep, near Lutsen
  • Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
  • Average water clarity around 13 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
285 acres
Max depth
33 ft
Shoreline
5.9 mi
Water clarity
13 ft
Shallows (under 15 ft)
156 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 (2 mapped)

Best For

  • Lakeside camping
  • Quiet paddling
Know Before You Go
  • Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake

Camping & Reservations

2 campgrounds are mapped on or near Pipe 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.

Backcountry sites

Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.

Activities

PaddlingCamping

Amenities

Campground

Fish Species

No survey on file

Plan your trip to Pipe Lake

Compare Pipe Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.

Best camping lakes in Cook County

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Nearby Lakes

East Pipe Lake

30 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Lutsen105 acres

1.3 miles away

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Vern Lake

47 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Lutsen123 acres

1.4 miles away

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Kinogami Lake

41 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Lutsen111 acres

1.7 miles away

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Homer Lake

59 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Lutsen434 acres

2.1 miles away

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Gust Lake

34 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Grand Marais143 acres

2.3 miles away

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Juno Lake

41 out of 100 Lake Score

Cook · Lutsen216 acres

2.7 miles away

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Pipe Lake?

Pipe Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Lutsen. It covers 285 acres and reaches 33 feet deep.

How big and how deep is Pipe Lake?

Pipe Lake covers 285 acres with about 5.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 33 feet.

What fish can you catch at Pipe Lake?

The DNR has no fish survey on file for Pipe Lake.

Is there a public boat launch on Pipe Lake?

Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.

Can you swim at Pipe Lake?

There is no mapped public swim beach at Pipe 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 Pipe Lake?

Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.