Gabbro Lake
About Gabbro Lake
Gabbro Lake is a 977-acre lake near Silver Rapids in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 50 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 23.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.2 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer. 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 8 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, and tullibee (cisco). 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. 11 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Gabbro Lake
- 977 acres, up to 50 feet deep, near Silver Rapids
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, and tullibee (cisco)
- Average water clarity around 3.2 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- 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
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 977 acres
- Max depth
- 50 ft
- Shoreline
- 23.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 3.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 457 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 BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 2 portage accesses
- Camping (11 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice fishing
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 8
- Game fish
- 7
- 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
11 campgrounds are mapped on or near Gabbro 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 Gabbro Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Little Gabbro Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Rapids148 acres
1.4 miles away
Turtle Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Rapids343 acres
1.9 miles away
Bald Eagle Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Rapids1,243 acres
2.8 miles away
Clearwater Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Rapids640 acres
3.6 miles away
Clear Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely248 acres
3.7 miles away
Greenstone Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely332 acres
5.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gabbro Lake?
Gabbro Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Silver Rapids. It covers 977 acres and reaches 50 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Gabbro Lake?
Gabbro Lake covers 977 acres with about 23.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 50 feet.
What fish can you catch at Gabbro Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Gabbro Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Gabbro Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Gabbro 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 Gabbro Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Gabbro Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Gabbro Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.