Wood Lake
About Wood Lake
Wood Lake is a 617-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 21 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 14.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8 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, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2015.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 4 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Wood Lake
- 617 acres, up to 21 feet deep, near Prairie Portage
- 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, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 8 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
- 617 acres
- Max depth
- 21 ft
- Shoreline
- 14.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 579 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 (4 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
- 2015
- 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
4 campgrounds are mapped on or near Wood 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 Wood Lake
Compare Wood Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Wood Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Tofte Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely134 acres
1.1 miles away
Hula Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage131 acres
1.3 miles away
Jasper Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage175 acres
1.9 miles away
Good Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage175 acres
2.1 miles away
Indiana Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage143 acres
2.3 miles away
Ojibway Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely367 acres
2.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Wood Lake?
Wood Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Prairie Portage. It covers 617 acres and reaches 21 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Wood Lake?
Wood Lake covers 617 acres with about 14.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 21 feet.
What fish can you catch at Wood Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Wood Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Wood Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Wood 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 Wood Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Wood Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Wood Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.