Winchell Lake
About Winchell Lake
Winchell Lake is an 876-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 160 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 15.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 15.7 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota. 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. 8 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Winchell Lake
- 876 acres, up to 160 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 15.7 feet — very clear
- 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
- 876 acres
- Max depth
- 160 ft
- Shoreline
- 15.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 15.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 223 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 (8 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
8 campgrounds are mapped on or near Winchell 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 Winchell Lake
Compare Winchell Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Henson Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais111 acres
1.2 miles away
Gaskin Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill372 acres
2.4 miles away
Echo Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill121 acres
2.8 miles away
Meeds Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais351 acres
3.3 miles away
Vernon Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais240 acres
3.5 miles away
Rush Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill261 acres
3.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Winchell Lake?
Winchell Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 876 acres and reaches 160 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Winchell Lake?
Winchell Lake covers 876 acres with about 15.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 160 feet.
What fish can you catch at Winchell Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Winchell Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Winchell Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Winchell Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Winchell 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 Winchell Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.