Vista Lake
About Vista Lake
Vista Lake is a 166-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 47 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state. 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 5 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, and burbot. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 1993.
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 Vista Lake
- 166 acres, up to 47 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, and burbot
- Average water clarity around 10 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
- 166 acres
- Max depth
- 47 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 10 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 151 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
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 5
- Game fish
- 4
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 1993
- 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
3 campgrounds are mapped on or near Vista 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 Vista Lake
Compare Vista Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Vista Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Vista Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Vista Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Vista Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Horseshoe Lake
34 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill188 acres
1.2 miles away
Little Trout Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais127 acres
1.8 miles away
Caribou Lake
35 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais246 acres
2.4 miles away
Swamp Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais181 acres
2.5 miles away
Gaskin Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill372 acres
3 miles away
Ram Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais68 acres
3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Vista Lake?
Vista Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 166 acres and reaches 47 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Vista Lake?
Vista Lake covers 166 acres with about 6.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 47 feet.
What fish can you catch at Vista Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Burbot. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Vista Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Vista Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Vista 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 Vista Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Vista Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Vista Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.