Cherry Lake
About Cherry Lake
Cherry Lake is a 153-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 100 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 23.5 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota. Access is by portage through Superior National Forest; most lakes reached this way lie in or beside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where an entry permit is required.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 6 fish species here, including walleye, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, and burbot. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 4 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Cherry Lake
- 153 acres, up to 100 feet deep, near Prairie Portage
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, and burbot
- Average water clarity around 23.5 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
- Boundary Waters country: entry permit required, no cans or glass bottles, and motors are restricted on most lakes
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Portage access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 153 acres
- Max depth
- 100 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 23.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 34 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
- A trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
- A BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
Facilities
- 3 portage accesses
- Camping (4 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 6
- Game fish
- 5
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
4 campgrounds are mapped on or near Cherry Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Cherry Lake
Compare Cherry Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Cherry Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Cherry Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Topaz Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage150 acres
1 miles away
Hanson Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage289 acres
1.1 miles away
Gijikiki Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage113 acres
1.2 miles away
Rabbit Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage117 acres
1.9 miles away
Amoeber Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage410 acres
2.2 miles away
Ottertrack Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely1,134 acres
2.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cherry Lake?
Cherry Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Prairie Portage. It covers 153 acres and reaches 100 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Cherry Lake?
Cherry Lake covers 153 acres with about 4.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 100 feet.
What fish can you catch at Cherry Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, and Burbot. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Cherry Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Cherry Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Cherry Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Cherry Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Cherry Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Cherry Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.