---
type: lake
name: "Sea Gull Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Grand Marais"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 3958
max_depth_ft: 145
latitude: 48.13352
longitude: -90.924
lake_score: 80
dnr_lake_id: "16062900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/sea-gull-lake
---

# Sea Gull Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais

- **Surface Area**: 3,958 acres
- **Max Depth**: 145 ft
- **Average Depth**: 36 ft
- **Shoreline**: 75 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 15.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 80/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses
- **Wilderness permit**: BWCAW entry permit required

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 9
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

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

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Canoe Tripping, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Carry-In Access, Campground, Fishing Pier

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Lake Trout, Burbot, Lake Whitefish, Green Sunfish, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: May 1
- **Years of record**: 34
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-25
- **Latest**: 2014-05-18

## Nearby Lakes

- [Grandpa Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/grandpa-lake) - 2.1 miles, 125 acres
- [Gull Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/gull-lake) - 2.4 miles, 168 acres
- [Paulson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/paulson-lake) - 2.5 miles, 121 acres
- [Red Rock Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/red-rock-lake) - 3 miles, 451 acres
- [Alpine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/alpine-lake) - 3.1 miles, 909 acres
- [Jasper Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/jasper-lake) - 4.4 miles, 246 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.13352,-90.924)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16062900)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

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