South Fowl Lake
About South Fowl Lake
South Fowl Lake is a 1,586-acre lake near Hovland in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 10 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 6 feet, and has roughly 18.5 miles of shoreline. 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 6 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and burbot. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 1998.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. A campground is 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.
Plan Your Visit to South Fowl Lake
- 1,586 acres, up to 10 feet deep, near Hovland
- 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, and burbot
- Camping close to the water
- Border water with Canada — know which side of the line you are fishing on
- Listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,586 acres
- Max depth
- 10 ft
- Average depth
- 6 ft
- Shoreline
- 18.5 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 1,586 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
- Border-water seasons and limits with Canada differ from Minnesota inland rules
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- Camping (1 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 6
- Game fish
- 5
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 1998
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
1 campground is mapped on or near South Fowl 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 South Fowl Lake
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Nearby Lakes
North Fowl Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland1,040 acres
1.9 miles away
John Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland191 acres
2.9 miles away
McFarland Lake
76 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland386 acres
3.4 miles away
Otter Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland75 acres
4.2 miles away
Moose Lake
67 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland1,026 acres
5 miles away
East Pike Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland554 acres
5.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is South Fowl Lake?
South Fowl Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Hovland. It covers 1,586 acres and reaches 10 feet deep.
How big and how deep is South Fowl Lake?
South Fowl Lake covers 1,586 acres with about 18.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 10 feet and its average depth is about 6 feet.
What fish can you catch at South Fowl Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Burbot. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on South Fowl Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at South Fowl Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at South Fowl 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 South Fowl Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for South Fowl Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at South Fowl 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 South Fowl Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists South Fowl 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.