---
type: lake
name: "Pokegama Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Grand Rapids"
lake_type: "reservoir"
acres: 6721
max_depth_ft: 112
latitude: 47.18769
longitude: -93.55335
lake_score: 86
dnr_lake_id: "31053200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/pokegama-lake
---

# Pokegama Lake

Reservoir in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Grand Rapids

- **Surface Area**: 6,721 acres
- **Max Depth**: 112 ft
- **Shoreline**: 57.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 16.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: reservoir
- **Public Access**: 6 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 86/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Pokegama Lake is a 6,721-acre reservoir near Grand Rapids in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 112 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 57.1 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 227 Itasca County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 16.1 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 19 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. 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 2024.

There are 6 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and city. OpenStreetMap shows Tioga Beach and Picnic Area and Hidden Beach on or beside the lake. Pokegama-COE and Pokegama Dam Campground are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with starry stonewort and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 27, based on 69 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 6 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 19
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground

### Beaches

- Tioga Beach and Picnic Area
- Hidden Beach
- Zorbaz Beach

### Campgrounds

- Pokegama-COE
- Pokegama Dam Campground
- Two Rivers RV & Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Rainbow Smelt, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 27
- **Years of record**: 69
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-27
- **Latest**: 2013-05-17

## Nearby Lakes

- [Horseshoe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/horseshoe-lake-grand-rapids) - 1.5 miles, 142 acres
- [Blandin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/blandin-lake) - 3.5 miles, 490 acres
- [Tioga Mine Pit](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/tioga-mine-pit) - 3.8 miles, 49 acres
- [Hale Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/hale-lake) - 4 miles, 130 acres
- [Little Jay Gould Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-jay-gould-lake) - 4.6 miles, 150 acres
- [Carlson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/carlson-lake) - 4.7 miles, 188 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.18769,-93.55335)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31053200)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

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