Perent Lake
About Perent Lake
Perent Lake is a 1,598-acre lake near Forest Center in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 38 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 13 feet, and has roughly 22.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.3 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.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 6 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, lake whitefish, and rock bass. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2019.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 21 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Perent Lake
- 1,598 acres, up to 38 feet deep, near Forest Center
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, lake whitefish, and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 5.3 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
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,598 acres
- Max depth
- 38 ft
- Average depth
- 13 ft
- Shoreline
- 22.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 5.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 1,368 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
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 2 portage accesses
- Camping (21 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 6
- Game fish
- 5
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2019
- 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
21 campgrounds are mapped on or near Perent 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 Perent Lake
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Perent Lake?
Perent Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Forest Center. It covers 1,598 acres and reaches 38 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Perent Lake?
Perent Lake covers 1,598 acres with about 22.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 38 feet and its average depth is about 13 feet.
What fish can you catch at Perent Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Lake Whitefish, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Perent Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Perent Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Perent 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 Perent Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Perent Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Perent Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.