Makwa Lake
About Makwa Lake
Makwa Lake is a 128-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 76 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.8 miles of shoreline.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. 3 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Makwa Lake
- 128 acres, up to 76 feet deep, near Prairie Portage
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 128 acres
- Max depth
- 76 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.8 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 49 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
Facilities
- Camping (3 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
3 campgrounds are mapped on or near Makwa 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 Makwa Lake
Compare Makwa Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Elton Lake
34 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage124 acres
1.2 miles away
Boulder Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage259 acres
2.8 miles away
Adams Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely475 acres
3.3 miles away
Little Saganaga Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte1,627 acres
3.5 miles away
Raven Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage179 acres
4.4 miles away
Gabimichigami Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte1,186 acres
4.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Makwa Lake?
Makwa Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Prairie Portage. It covers 128 acres and reaches 76 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Makwa Lake?
Makwa Lake covers 128 acres with about 3.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 76 feet.
What fish can you catch at Makwa Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Makwa Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Makwa Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Makwa Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Makwa 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.
Can you camp at Makwa Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.