---
type: lake
name: "Birch Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Babbitt"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 7074
max_depth_ft: 25
latitude: 47.76547
longitude: -91.84293
lake_score: 75
dnr_lake_id: "69000300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/birch-lake
---

# Birch Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Babbitt

- **Surface Area**: 7,074 acres
- **Max Depth**: 25 ft
- **Shoreline**: 90.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 4 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 75/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Birch Lake is a 7,074-acre lake near Babbitt in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 25 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 90.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.7 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There are 4 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service, city, and county. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. South Kawishiwi Campground and Birch Lake Campgound are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.

## Access

- **Public access**: 4 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service, city, county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 10
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Carry-In Access, Swim Beach, Campground, Marina

### Campgrounds

- South Kawishiwi Campground
- Birch Lake Campgound
- Birch Lake Group Campsite

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Little Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/little-lake) - 1.2 miles, 71 acres
- [Blueberry Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/blueberry-lake) - 2.5 miles, 125 acres
- [Perch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/perch-lake-babbitt) - 3.3 miles, 100 acres
- [One Pine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/one-pine-lake) - 3.5 miles, 354 acres
- [Whisper Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/whisper-lake) - 3.8 miles, 46 acres
- [Johnson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/johnson-lake-ely) - 4.8 miles, 456 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.76547,-91.84293)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69000300)
- [All lakes in St. Louis County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/birch-lake)*