Swan Lake
About Swan Lake
Swan Lake is a 199-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 122 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.7 feet. 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.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 3 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Swan Lake
- 199 acres, up to 122 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 9.7 feet
- Camping close to the water
- Boundary Waters country: entry permit required, no cans or glass bottles, and motors are restricted on most lakes
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Portage access only
- Launch fee
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 199 acres
- Max depth
- 122 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 48 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 BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 1 portage access
- Camping (3 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
3 campgrounds are mapped on or near Swan 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 Swan Lake
Compare Swan Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Little Trout Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais127 acres
2.3 miles away
Vernon Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais240 acres
2.4 miles away
Ball Club Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais206 acres
3.2 miles away
Vista Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais166 acres
3.3 miles away
Gaskin Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill372 acres
3.5 miles away
Bower Trout Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill133 acres
3.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Swan Lake?
Swan Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 199 acres and reaches 122 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Swan Lake?
Swan Lake covers 199 acres with about 4.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 122 feet.
What fish can you catch at Swan Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Swan Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Swan Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Swan Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Swan 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.
Can you camp at Swan Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.