---
type: lake
name: "Jay Gould Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Cohasset"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 552
max_depth_ft: 33
latitude: 47.24525
longitude: -93.63255
lake_score: 59
dnr_lake_id: "31056500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/jay-gould-lake
---

# Jay Gould Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Cohasset

- **Surface Area**: 552 acres
- **Max Depth**: 33 ft
- **Shoreline**: 7.4 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 10.6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 59/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Jay Gould Lake is a 552-acre lake near Cohasset in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 33 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.6 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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 sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the county. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 22, based on 6 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 16
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 22
- **Years of record**: 6
- **Earliest**: 2017-04-06
- **Latest**: 2013-05-12

## Nearby Lakes

- [Little Jay Gould Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-jay-gould-lake) - 1 miles, 150 acres
- [Loon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/loon-lake) - 1 miles, 231 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/long-lake-grand-rapids) - 1.5 miles, 134 acres
- [Tioga Mine Pit](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/tioga-mine-pit) - 1.7 miles, 49 acres
- [Blackwater Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/blackwater-lake) - 1.9 miles, 601 acres
- [Guile Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/guile-lake) - 2.2 miles, 88 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.24525,-93.63255)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31056500)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

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