Ram Lake
About Ram Lake
Ram Lake is a 68-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 40 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 18.6 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 3 fish species here, including lake trout and rainbow trout. 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 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 Ram Lake
- 68 acres, up to 40 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: lake trout and rainbow trout
- Average water clarity around 18.6 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 68 acres
- Max depth
- 40 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 18.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 28 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
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
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
- 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
2 campgrounds are mapped on or near Ram 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 Ram Lake
Compare Ram Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Ram Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Ram Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Bower Trout Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill133 acres
1.1 miles away
Little Trout Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais127 acres
1.6 miles away
Vista Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais166 acres
3 miles away
Swan Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais199 acres
3.6 miles away
Ball Club Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais206 acres
3.8 miles away
Kemo Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais189 acres
4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ram Lake?
Ram Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 68 acres and reaches 40 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Ram Lake?
Ram Lake covers 68 acres with about 2.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 40 feet.
What fish can you catch at Ram Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Lake Trout and Rainbow Trout. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Ram Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Ram Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Ram 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 Ram Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Ram Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Ram Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.