---
type: lake
name: "Caribou Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Marcell"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 247
max_depth_ft: 152
latitude: 47.52696
longitude: -93.63999
lake_score: 68
dnr_lake_id: "31062000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/caribou-lake
---

# Caribou Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Marcell

- **Surface Area**: 247 acres
- **Max Depth**: 152 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 30.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 68/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Caribou Lake is a 247-acre lake near Marcell in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 152 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 30.8 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, lake trout, and rock bass. 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 US Forest Service.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 7
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2022
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Lake Trout**: All less than 20" must be immediately released, possession limit one.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Rock Bass, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [East Smith Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/east-smith-lake) - 1.6 miles, 152 acres
- [Smith Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/smith-lake) - 1.7 miles, 209 acres
- [Dead Horse Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/dead-horse-lake) - 1.7 miles, 105 acres
- [Grave Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/grave-lake) - 2.2 miles, 525 acres
- [North Star Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/north-star-lake) - 2.2 miles, 832 acres
- [Day Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/day-lake) - 3.1 miles, 49 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.52696,-93.63999)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31062000)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/caribou-lake)*