---
type: lake
name: "Poplar Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Grand Marais"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 764
max_depth_ft: 73
latitude: 48.04669
longitude: -90.50935
lake_score: 63
dnr_lake_id: "16023900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/poplar-lake
---

# Poplar Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais

- **Surface Area**: 764 acres
- **Max Depth**: 73 ft
- **Shoreline**: 23.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 10.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 63/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Poplar Lake is a 764-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 73 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 23.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.7 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, 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 2024.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service. The lake is listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around May 8, based on 13 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 8
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Lake Whitefish, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

spiny waterflea. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: May 8
- **Years of record**: 13
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-20
- **Latest**: 2018-05-15

## Nearby Lakes

- [Caribou Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/caribou-lake-2) - 1.6 miles, 246 acres
- [Leo Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/leo-lake) - 1.7 miles, 102 acres
- [Swamp Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/swamp-lake) - 1.7 miles, 181 acres
- [Moss Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/moss-lake) - 1.9 miles, 254 acres
- [Birch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/birch-lake) - 1.9 miles, 236 acres
- [Meeds Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/meeds-lake) - 2.3 miles, 351 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.04669,-90.50935)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16023900)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

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