Manomin Lake
About Manomin Lake
Manomin Lake is a 409-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 18 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.5 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer. 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 northern pike, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2015.
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 Manomin Lake
- 409 acres, up to 18 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, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 2.5 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- 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
- 409 acres
- Max depth
- 18 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 2.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 403 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 (2 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- 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
- 2015
- 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 Manomin 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 Manomin Lake
Compare Manomin Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Manomin Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Manomin Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Manomin Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Manomin Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Newfound Lake
67 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely643 acres
1.9 miles away
Sucker Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely393 acres
2.3 miles away
Wind Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage926 acres
3.4 miles away
Moose Lake
71 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely1,301 acres
3.6 miles away
Birch Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely836 acres
4.4 miles away
Snowbank Lake
79 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely4,655 acres
4.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Manomin Lake?
Manomin Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Prairie Portage. It covers 409 acres and reaches 18 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Manomin Lake?
Manomin Lake covers 409 acres with about 6.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 18 feet.
What fish can you catch at Manomin Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Manomin Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Manomin Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Manomin 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 Manomin Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Manomin Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Manomin Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.