Pennington Mine
About Pennington Mine
Pennington Mine is a 62-acre mine pit lake near Ironton in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 259 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 1.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 26 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and rainbow trout. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to lake trout, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2022.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. True North Basecamp is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.
Plan Your Visit to Pennington Mine
- 62 acres, up to 259 feet deep, near Ironton
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and rainbow trout
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 26 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water at True North Basecamp
- Listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 62 acres
- Max depth
- 259 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 26 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 7 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 trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Camping: True North Basecamp
Best For
- Northern Pike fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Mine pit lakes drop off steeply right from shore and stay cold at depth
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 11
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2022
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Lake Trout: All less than 20" must be immediately released, possession limit one.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
True North Basecamp is mapped on or near Pennington Mine. 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 Pennington Mine
Compare Pennington Mine against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Pennington Mine ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Pennington Mine ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Pennington Mine ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Pennington Mine ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Mahnomen, Alstead & Arco Lake
65 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Armour Number Two Mine272 acres
0.6 miles away
Portsmouth Mine
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Armour Number Two Mine149 acres
0.9 miles away
Huntington Mine
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Crosby106 acres
1.1 miles away
Mahnomen Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Trommald238 acres
1.2 miles away
Black Hoof Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Ironton201 acres
1.6 miles away
Little Black Hoof Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Riverton72 acres
2.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pennington Mine?
Pennington Mine is in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Ironton. It covers 62 acres and reaches 259 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Pennington Mine?
Pennington Mine covers 62 acres with about 1.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 259 feet.
What fish can you catch at Pennington Mine?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rainbow Trout, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Pennington Mine?
Yes. Pennington Mine has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Pennington Mine?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Pennington Mine. 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 Pennington Mine stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Pennington Mine; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Pennington Mine?
Yes. All less than 20" must be immediately released, possession limit one.
Can you camp at Pennington Mine?
Yes. True North Basecamp is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Pennington Mine have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Pennington Mine as infested with zebra mussel. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.