Sea Gull Lake
About Sea Gull Lake
Sea Gull Lake is a 3,958-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 145 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 36 feet, and has roughly 75 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 15.1 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota. Access is by portage through Superior National Forest; most lakes reached this way lie in or beside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where an entry permit is required.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, lake trout, and burbot. Special fishing regulations apply to walleye, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service. 32 campgrounds 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 1, based on 34 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Sea Gull Lake
- 3,958 acres, up to 145 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the US Forest Service
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, lake trout, and burbot
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 15.1 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
- Boundary Waters country: entry permit required, no cans or glass bottles, and motors are restricted on most lakes
- Listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 3,958 acres
- Max depth
- 145 ft
- Average depth
- 36 ft
- Shoreline
- 75 mi
- Water clarity
- 15.1 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 927 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
- A BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- 1 portage access
- Camping (32 mapped)
- Fishing pier
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice fishing
- Shore fishing from a pier
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 9
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- Yes
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Walleye: Possession limit three, only one over 20".
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- May 1
- Years of record
- 34
- Earliest
- March 25, 2012
- Latest
- May 18, 2014
- Most recent
- May 5, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
32 campgrounds are mapped on or near Sea Gull 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 Sea Gull Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Grandpa Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Schroeder125 acres
2.1 miles away
Gull Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais168 acres
2.4 miles away
Paulson Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais121 acres
2.5 miles away
Red Rock Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte451 acres
3 miles away
Alpine Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais909 acres
3.1 miles away
Jasper Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais246 acres
4.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sea Gull Lake?
Sea Gull Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 3,958 acres and reaches 145 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Sea Gull Lake?
Sea Gull Lake covers 3,958 acres with about 75 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 145 feet and its average depth is about 36 feet.
What fish can you catch at Sea Gull Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Lake Trout, Burbot, and Lake Whitefish. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Sea Gull Lake?
Yes. Sea Gull Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the US Forest Service. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Sea Gull Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Sea Gull 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 Sea Gull Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Sea Gull Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Are there special fishing regulations on Sea Gull Lake?
Yes. Possession limit three, only one over 20".
When does the ice go out on Sea Gull Lake?
The median ice-out date is May 1, from 34 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 25, 2012 and the latest is May 18, 2014.
Can you camp at Sea Gull Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Sea Gull Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Sea Gull Lake as infested with spiny waterflea. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.