---
type: lake
name: "Rat Root Lake"
county: "Koochiching"
nearest_town: "International Falls"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 734
max_depth_ft: 8
latitude: 48.50451
longitude: -93.28798
lake_score: 27
dnr_lake_id: "36000600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/koochiching-county/rat-root-lake
---

# Rat Root Lake

Lake in Koochiching County, Minnesota, near International Falls

- **Surface Area**: 734 acres
- **Max Depth**: 8 ft
- **Shoreline**: 29.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 2.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: No public access on record
- **Lake Score**: 27/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Rat Root Lake is a 734-acre lake near International Falls in Koochiching County, Minnesota. It reaches 8 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 29.2 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Koochiching County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.5 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including walleye, sauger, northern pike, black crappie, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2019.

No public water access is on record with the DNR, so getting on the water generally depends on a resort, private landing or permission from a shoreline owner.

## Access

- **Public access**: No public access on record
- **Managed by**: Not recorded
- **Launch fee**: N/A

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 7
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2019
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing

## Amenities

None on record

## Fish Species

Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Moose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/koochiching-county/moose-lake) - 10.1 miles, 54 acres
- [Locator Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/locator-lake) - 13.1 miles, 133 acres
- [Rainy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/rainy-lake) - 14.5 miles, 210,200 acres
- [Lake Kabetogama](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/lake-kabetogama) - 15.4 miles, 24,034 acres
- [Shoepack Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/shoepack-lake) - 18.8 miles, 299 acres
- [Cruiser Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/cruiser-lake) - 22.1 miles, 118 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.50451,-93.28798)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=36000600)
- [All lakes in Koochiching County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/koochiching-county)

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