Indiana Lake
About Indiana Lake
Indiana Lake is a 143-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 31 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 16 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 7 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, and rock bass. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2019.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 2 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Indiana Lake
- 143 acres, up to 31 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: northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 16 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
- 143 acres
- Max depth
- 31 ft
- Shoreline
- 2 mi
- Water clarity
- 16 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 38 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
Facilities
- 3 portage accesses
- Camping (2 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 7
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2019
- 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
2 campgrounds are mapped on or near Indiana 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 Indiana Lake
Compare Indiana Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Indiana Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Indiana Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Hula Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage131 acres
1 miles away
Good Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage175 acres
1.1 miles away
Wood Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage617 acres
2.3 miles away
Wind Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage926 acres
2.7 miles away
Basswood Lake
76 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely25,953 acres
2.9 miles away
Ella Hall Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Rapids379 acres
3.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Indiana Lake?
Indiana Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Prairie Portage. It covers 143 acres and reaches 31 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Indiana Lake?
Indiana Lake covers 143 acres with about 2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 31 feet.
What fish can you catch at Indiana Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Indiana Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Indiana Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Indiana 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 Indiana Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Indiana Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Indiana Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.