---
type: lake
name: "Dark Lake"
county: "Koochiching"
nearest_town: "Gemmell"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 120
max_depth_ft: 50
latitude: 47.95618
longitude: -94.0932
lake_score: 56
dnr_lake_id: "36001400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/koochiching-county/dark-lake
---

# Dark Lake

Lake in Koochiching County, Minnesota, near Gemmell

- **Surface Area**: 120 acres
- **Max Depth**: 50 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 7.6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 56/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Dark Lake is a 120-acre lake near Gemmell in Koochiching County, Minnesota. It reaches 50 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.6 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 10
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Clear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/koochiching-county/clear-lake) - 0.7 miles, 89 acres
- [Seretha Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/koochiching-county/seretha-lake) - 3.7 miles, 57 acres
- [Moose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/moose-lake-northome) - 9.3 miles, 412 acres
- [Bartlett Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/koochiching-county/bartlett-lake) - 9.7 miles, 304 acres
- [Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/island-lake) - 11.9 miles, 3,108 acres
- [Battle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/koochiching-county/battle-lake) - 12.8 miles, 286 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.95618,-94.0932)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=36001400)
- [All lakes in Koochiching County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/koochiching-county)

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