Whitefish Lake
About Whitefish Lake
Whitefish Lake is a 346-acre lake near Tofte in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 49 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 16.8 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.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, and brook trout. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. Whitefish Lake is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Whitefish Lake
- 346 acres, up to 49 feet deep, near Tofte
- 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, and brook trout
- Average water clarity around 16.8 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water at Whitefish Lake
- 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
- Minnesota DNR, US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 346 acres
- Max depth
- 49 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 16.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 191 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 trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
- A BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- 2 portage accesses
- Camping: Whitefish Lake
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
- 5
- Game fish
- 4
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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
Whitefish Lake is mapped on or near Whitefish 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 Whitefish Lake
Compare Whitefish Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
Cross River
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Schroeder79 acres
1.8 miles away
Elbow Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Sawbill Landing528 acres
1.9 miles away
Finger Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte204 acres
2.3 miles away
Windy Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella456 acres
2.4 miles away
Frear Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Sawbill Landing317 acres
3 miles away
Wilson Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Schroeder650 acres
3.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Whitefish Lake?
Whitefish Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Tofte. It covers 346 acres and reaches 49 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Whitefish Lake?
Whitefish Lake covers 346 acres with about 3.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 49 feet.
What fish can you catch at Whitefish Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Brook Trout. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Whitefish Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Whitefish Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Whitefish 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 Whitefish Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Whitefish Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Whitefish Lake?
Yes. Whitefish Lake is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.