Malberg Lake
About Malberg Lake
Malberg Lake is a 398-acre lake near Isabella in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 37 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 14.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.6 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.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
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 Malberg Lake
- 398 acres, up to 37 feet deep, near Isabella
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 7.6 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
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 398 acres
- Max depth
- 37 ft
- Shoreline
- 14.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 310 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
- 2 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
Camping & Reservations
14 campgrounds are mapped on or near Malberg 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 Malberg Lake
Compare Malberg Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
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1.4 miles away
Beaver Lake
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2.7 miles away
Adams Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely475 acres
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Amber Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Forest Center121 acres
3.1 miles away
Polly Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella485 acres
3.5 miles away
Boulder Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage259 acres
4.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Malberg Lake?
Malberg Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Isabella. It covers 398 acres and reaches 37 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Malberg Lake?
Malberg Lake covers 398 acres with about 14.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 37 feet.
What fish can you catch at Malberg Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Malberg Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Malberg Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Malberg Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Malberg 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 Malberg Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.