Trout Lake
About Trout Lake
Trout Lake is a 259-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 77 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 18.6 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 6 fish species here, including yellow perch, lake trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
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. Ice typically goes out around May 6, based on 8 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Trout Lake
- 259 acres, up to 77 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: yellow perch, lake trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout
- Average water clarity around 18.6 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
- 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
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 259 acres
- Max depth
- 77 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 18.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 59 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
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- Camping (1 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- 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
- 4
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- May 6
- Years of record
- 8
- Earliest
- April 8, 2012
- Latest
- May 21, 2014
- Most recent
- April 26, 2017
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
1 campground is mapped on or near Trout 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 Trout Lake
Compare Trout Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Trout Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Trout Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Trout Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Mink Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais57 acres
2.4 miles away
Kimball Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais77 acres
2.7 miles away
Northern Light Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais378 acres
3.8 miles away
Elbow Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais408 acres
5.8 miles away
Pine Mountain Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais106 acres
6 miles away
Tom Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland404 acres
6.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Trout Lake?
Trout Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 259 acres and reaches 77 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Trout Lake?
Trout Lake covers 259 acres with about 3.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 77 feet.
What fish can you catch at Trout Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brook Trout. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Trout Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Trout Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Trout 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 Trout Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Trout Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Trout Lake?
The median ice-out date is May 6, from 8 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 8, 2012 and the latest is May 21, 2014.
Can you camp at Trout 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 Trout Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Trout 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.