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Sawbill Lake

lakeCook County, Minnesota · near Tofte834 acres64 out of 100 Lake Score Lake Score

About Sawbill Lake

Sawbill Lake is an 834-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 45 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 26.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.4 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, burbot, and rock bass. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2013.

Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Sawbill Lake Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around May 6, based on 12 years of DNR ice-out records.

Plan Your Visit to Sawbill Lake

What to Know Before You Go
  • 834 acres, up to 45 feet deep, near Tofte
  • Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
  • Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, burbot, and rock bass
  • Average water clarity around 8.4 feet
  • Swim beach on or beside the lake
  • Camping close to the water at Sawbill Lake Campground

Access & Fees

Public access
Carry-in access only
Launch fee
Free at DNR accesses
Managed by
US Forest Service

Conditions

Surface area
834 acres
Max depth
45 ft
Shoreline
26.3 mi
Water clarity
8.4 ft
Shallows (under 15 ft)
445 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

  • 1 carry-in access
  • Swim beach
  • Camping: Sawbill Lake Campground

Best For

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

Angler's Report

Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Species on survey
7
Game fish
6
Stocked
No
Last DNR survey
2013
Special regulations
No
Fishing pier
No
Ice fishing
Yes
Boat launch
No
View on DNR LakeFinder Buy a Minnesota fishing license

Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.

Ice-Out History

Median ice-out
May 6
Years of record
12
Earliest
March 27, 2012
Latest
May 15, 2014
Most recent
May 5, 2026

See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.

Camping & Reservations

Sawbill Lake Campground is mapped on or near Sawbill 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

FishingIce FishingPaddlingSwimmingCamping

Amenities

Carry-In AccessSwim BeachCampground

Fish Species

WalleyeNorthern PikeSmallmouth BassYellow PerchBurbotRock BassWhite Sucker

Plan your trip to Sawbill Lake

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

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Nearby Lakes

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Kelly Lake

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Jack Lake

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Beth Lake

48 out of 100 Lake Score

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Sawbill Lake?

Sawbill Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte. It covers 834 acres and reaches 45 feet deep.

How big and how deep is Sawbill Lake?

Sawbill Lake covers 834 acres with about 26.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 45 feet.

What fish can you catch at Sawbill Lake?

Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Burbot, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.

Is there a public boat launch on Sawbill Lake?

Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.

Can you swim at Sawbill Lake?

Yes. A swim beach is mapped on or beside the lake. Most Minnesota beaches have no lifeguard, so swim at your own risk and check for beach advisories.

Is Sawbill Lake stocked?

The DNR has no stocking report on file for Sawbill Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.

When does the ice go out on Sawbill Lake?

The median ice-out date is May 6, from 12 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 27, 2012 and the latest is May 15, 2014.

Can you camp at Sawbill Lake?

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