Isabella Lake
About Isabella Lake
Isabella Lake is a 1,257-acre lake near Isabella in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 19 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 8 feet, and has roughly 17.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.3 feet. 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 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2016.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 10 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Isabella Lake
- 1,257 acres, up to 19 feet deep, near Isabella
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 7.3 feet
- 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
- 1,257 acres
- Max depth
- 19 ft
- Average depth
- 8 ft
- Shoreline
- 17.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 966 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 (10 mapped)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 10
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2016
- 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
10 campgrounds are mapped on or near Isabella 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 Isabella Lake
Compare Isabella Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
Bog Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Forest Center259 acres
4.9 miles away
Section 29 Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella100 acres
5.4 miles away
Sylvania Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella77 acres
6.3 miles away
Quadga Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella251 acres
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North Wilder Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella100 acres
6.5 miles away
Insula Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely2,840 acres
7.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Isabella Lake?
Isabella Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Isabella. It covers 1,257 acres and reaches 19 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Isabella Lake?
Isabella Lake covers 1,257 acres with about 17.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 19 feet and its average depth is about 8 feet.
What fish can you catch at Isabella Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Lake Whitefish, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Isabella Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Isabella Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Isabella 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 Isabella Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Isabella Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Isabella Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.