---
type: lake
name: "Saganaga Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Grand Marais"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 18767
max_depth_ft: 280
latitude: 48.24307
longitude: -90.91537
lake_score: 79
dnr_lake_id: "16063300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/saganaga-lake
---

# Saganaga Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais

- **Surface Area**: 18,767 acres
- **Max Depth**: 280 ft
- **Shoreline**: 277 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 79/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with Canada

## About

Saganaga Lake is an 18,767-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 280 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 277 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Cook County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.8 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to walleye, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There are 3 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service and county. Saganaga Lake #94 and Saganaga Lake #19 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. Ice typically goes out around May 6, based on 41 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service, county
- **Launch fee**: Permit or fee required

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 11
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Walleye**: Possession limit three, only one over 20".

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Saganaga Lake #94
- Saganaga Lake #19
- Saganaga Lake #29
- Saganaga Lake #98

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Burbot, Lake Whitefish, Rainbow Smelt, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: May 6
- **Years of record**: 41
- **Earliest**: 2012-04-02
- **Latest**: 2014-05-19

## Nearby Lakes

- [Marabaeuf Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/marabaeuf-lake) - 5.1 miles, 860 acres
- [Grandpa Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/grandpa-lake) - 5.5 miles, 125 acres
- [Gull Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/gull-lake) - 5.6 miles, 168 acres
- [Red Rock Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/red-rock-lake) - 6.4 miles, 451 acres
- [Gneiss Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/gneiss-lake) - 6.9 miles, 227 acres
- [Zephyr Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/zephyr-lake) - 7.2 miles, 140 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.24307,-90.91537)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16063300)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

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