Tuscarora Lake
About Tuscarora Lake
Tuscarora Lake is an 805-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 130 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 13.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13.3 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 10 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Tuscarora Lake
- 805 acres, up to 130 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 13.3 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 805 acres
- Max depth
- 130 ft
- Shoreline
- 13.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 13.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 198 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
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- Camping (10 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
10 campgrounds are mapped on or near Tuscarora 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 Tuscarora Lake
Compare Tuscarora Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Crooked Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais244 acres
2.2 miles away
Brandt Lake
38 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Prairie Portage111 acres
2.3 miles away
Gillis Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais616 acres
2.4 miles away
Snipe Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen115 acres
2.8 miles away
Round Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais154 acres
2.9 miles away
Mora Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte210 acres
3.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tuscarora Lake?
Tuscarora Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 805 acres and reaches 130 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Tuscarora Lake?
Tuscarora Lake covers 805 acres with about 13.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 130 feet.
What fish can you catch at Tuscarora Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Tuscarora Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Tuscarora Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Tuscarora Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Tuscarora 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 Tuscarora Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.