---
type: lake
name: "Sawbill Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Tofte"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 834
max_depth_ft: 45
latitude: 47.89053
longitude: -90.87529
lake_score: 64
dnr_lake_id: "16049600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/sawbill-lake
---

# Sawbill Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte

- **Surface Area**: 834 acres
- **Max Depth**: 45 ft
- **Shoreline**: 26.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 8.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 64/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 7
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2013
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling, Swimming, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Swim Beach, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Sawbill Lake Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Rock Bass, White Sucker

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: May 6
- **Years of record**: 12
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-27
- **Latest**: 2014-05-15

## Nearby Lakes

- [Kelso Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/kelso-lake) - 1.7 miles, 133 acres
- [Burnt Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/burnt-lake) - 2 miles, 358 acres
- [Alton Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/alton-lake) - 2.1 miles, 969 acres
- [Kelly Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/kelly-lake) - 3.2 miles, 173 acres
- [Jack Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/jack-lake) - 3.8 miles, 113 acres
- [Beth Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/beth-lake) - 3.9 miles, 170 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.89053,-90.87529)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16049600)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

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