Canton Pit
About Canton Pit
Canton Pit is a 161-acre mine pit lake near Belgrade (St. Louis) in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 286 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch, and lake whitefish. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2016.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.
Plan Your Visit to Canton Pit
- 161 acres, up to 286 feet deep, near Belgrade (St. Louis)
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch, and lake whitefish
- Average water clarity around 6 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- city
Conditions
- Surface area
- 161 acres
- Max depth
- 286 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 13 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
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- Mine pit lakes drop off steeply right from shore and stay cold at depth
- 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
- 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.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Canton Pit
Compare Canton Pit against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Embarrass Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Biwabik463 acres
2 miles away
Cedar Island Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Biwabik205 acres
2.8 miles away
Sabin Lake (Embarrass Mine)
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Aurora156 acres
3.4 miles away
Wynne Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Aurora279 acres
3.5 miles away
Sabin Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Aurora312 acres
4.3 miles away
Esquagama Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Biwabik453 acres
4.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Canton Pit?
Canton Pit is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Belgrade (St. Louis). It covers 161 acres and reaches 286 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Canton Pit?
Canton Pit covers 161 acres with about 4.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 286 feet.
What fish can you catch at Canton Pit?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Lake Whitefish. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Canton Pit?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Canton Pit?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Canton Pit. 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 Canton Pit stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Canton Pit; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.