Zephyr Lake
About Zephyr Lake
Zephyr Lake is a 140-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 40 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6 feet. 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. Zephyr Lake #1 is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Zephyr Lake
- 140 acres, up to 40 feet deep, near Prairie Portage
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 6 feet
- Camping close to the water at Zephyr Lake #1
- 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
- 140 acres
- Max depth
- 40 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 95 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: Zephyr Lake #1
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
Zephyr Lake #1 is mapped on or near Zephyr 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 Zephyr Lake
Compare Zephyr Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
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Ottertrack Lake
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Hanson Lake
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Zephyr Lake?
Zephyr Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Prairie Portage. It covers 140 acres and reaches 40 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Zephyr Lake?
Zephyr Lake covers 140 acres with about 4.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 40 feet.
What fish can you catch at Zephyr Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Zephyr Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Zephyr Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Zephyr Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Zephyr 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 Zephyr Lake?
Yes. Zephyr Lake #1 is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.