Spoon Lake
About Spoon Lake
Spoon Lake is a 256-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 85 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 15 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota. 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. 13 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Spoon Lake
- 256 acres, up to 85 feet deep, near Prairie Portage
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 15 feet — very clear
- 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
- 256 acres
- Max depth
- 85 ft
- Shoreline
- 7.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 15 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 87 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
- 4 portage accesses
- Camping (13 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
13 campgrounds are mapped on or near Spoon 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 Spoon Lake
Compare Spoon Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
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0.8 miles away
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Knife Lake
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Wisini Lake
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Amoeber Lake
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Eddy Lake
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3.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Spoon Lake?
Spoon Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Prairie Portage. It covers 256 acres and reaches 85 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Spoon Lake?
Spoon Lake covers 256 acres with about 7.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 85 feet.
What fish can you catch at Spoon Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Spoon Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Spoon Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Spoon Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Spoon 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 Spoon Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.