---
type: lake
name: "North McDougal Lake"
county: "Lake"
nearest_town: "Isabella"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 273
max_depth_ft: 13
latitude: 47.63971
longitude: -91.54868
lake_score: 54
dnr_lake_id: "38068600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/north-mcdougal-lake
---

# North McDougal Lake

Lake in Lake County, Minnesota, near Isabella

- **Surface Area**: 273 acres
- **Max Depth**: 13 ft
- **Shoreline**: 5.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 54/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

North McDougal Lake is a 273-acre lake near Isabella in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 13 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.5 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service. McDougal Lake Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 9
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

### Campgrounds

- McDougal Lake Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Middle McDougal Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/middle-mcdougal-lake) - 0.9 miles, 104 acres
- [South McDougal Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/south-mcdougal-lake) - 1.7 miles, 287 acres
- [Campers Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/campers-lake) - 2.4 miles, 48 acres
- [Pike Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/pike-lake) - 2.6 miles, 77 acres
- [Stony Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/stony-lake) - 3.3 miles, 249 acres
- [Wampus Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/wampus-lake) - 3.3 miles, 139 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.63971,-91.54868)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=38068600)
- [All lakes in Lake County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/north-mcdougal-lake)*