Polly Lake
About Polly Lake
Polly Lake is a 485-acre lake near Isabella in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 21 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 9 feet, and has roughly 18.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.5 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 8 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and rock bass. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2016.
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 Polly Lake
- 485 acres, up to 21 feet deep, near Isabella
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 7.5 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
- 485 acres
- Max depth
- 21 ft
- Average depth
- 9 ft
- Shoreline
- 18.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 378 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
- 3 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
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 8
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2016
- 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
14 campgrounds are mapped on or near Polly 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 Polly Lake
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Nearby Lakes
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44 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Forest Center162 acres
2 miles away
Koma Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Forest Center250 acres
2.1 miles away
Square Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella123 acres
2.8 miles away
Malberg Lake
35 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella398 acres
3.5 miles away
Kawishiwi Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Tofte372 acres
4 miles away
Amber Lake
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5.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Polly Lake?
Polly Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Isabella. It covers 485 acres and reaches 21 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Polly Lake?
Polly Lake covers 485 acres with about 18.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 21 feet and its average depth is about 9 feet.
What fish can you catch at Polly Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Polly Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Polly Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Polly 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 Polly Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Polly Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Polly Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.