Kekekabic Lake
About Kekekabic Lake
Kekekabic Lake is a 1,689-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 195 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 22.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 22 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 5 fish species here, including smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, and rock bass. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2017.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 14 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Kekekabic Lake
- 1,689 acres, up to 195 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: smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 22 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
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,689 acres
- Max depth
- 195 ft
- Shoreline
- 22.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 22 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 97 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
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 4 portage accesses
- Camping (14 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
- 5
- Game fish
- 4
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2017
- 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
14 campgrounds are mapped on or near Kekekabic 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 Kekekabic Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Spoon Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage256 acres
1.6 miles away
Wisini Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage104 acres
1.8 miles away
Bonnie Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage105 acres
2.4 miles away
Raven Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage179 acres
2.5 miles away
Eddy Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage122 acres
3.2 miles away
Sagus Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage160 acres
3.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kekekabic Lake?
Kekekabic Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Prairie Portage. It covers 1,689 acres and reaches 195 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Kekekabic Lake?
Kekekabic Lake covers 1,689 acres with about 22.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 195 feet.
What fish can you catch at Kekekabic Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Kekekabic Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Kekekabic Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Kekekabic 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 Kekekabic Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Kekekabic Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Kekekabic Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.