Wine Lake
About Wine Lake
Wine Lake is a 268-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 65 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 9.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 11.8 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. 4 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Wine Lake
- 268 acres, up to 65 feet deep, near Tofte
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 11.8 feet
- 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
- 268 acres
- Max depth
- 65 ft
- Shoreline
- 9.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 11.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 153 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 (4 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
4 campgrounds are mapped on or near Wine 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 Wine Lake
Compare Wine Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Mesaba Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte213 acres
1.7 miles away
Kelso Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Forest Center133 acres
3.3 miles away
Sawbill Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte834 acres
4.9 miles away
Mora Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte210 acres
5.2 miles away
Grace Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Forest Center433 acres
5.3 miles away
Alton Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte969 acres
5.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Wine Lake?
Wine Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte. It covers 268 acres and reaches 65 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Wine Lake?
Wine Lake covers 268 acres with about 9.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 65 feet.
What fish can you catch at Wine Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Wine Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Wine Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Wine Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Wine 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 Wine Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.