---
type: lake
name: "Crane Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Crane Lake"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 2921
max_depth_ft: 80
latitude: 48.27896
longitude: -92.53227
lake_score: 68
dnr_lake_id: "69061600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/crane-lake
---

# Crane Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Crane Lake

- **Surface Area**: 2,921 acres
- **Max Depth**: 80 ft
- **Shoreline**: 34 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 8.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 68/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Crane Lake is a 2,921-acre lake near Crane Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 80 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 34 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.2 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 20 fish species here, including walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. Special fishing regulations apply to walleye and sauger, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and county. Headquarters RV Park and King Williams Narro are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 27, based on 6 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 20
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Walleye and Sauger**: Combined possession limit six, only four may be walleye. All walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Headquarters RV Park
- King Williams Narro

## Fish Species

Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Lake Sturgeon, Burbot, Lake Whitefish, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Golden Redhorse, Mooneye, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

spiny waterflea. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 27
- **Years of record**: 6
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-27
- **Latest**: 2014-05-14

## Nearby Lakes

- [Franklin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/franklin-lake) - 4 miles, 156 acres
- [Mukooda Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/mukooda-lake) - 4.4 miles, 774 acres
- [Dovre Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/dovre-lake) - 4.9 miles, 116 acres
- [Johnson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/johnson-lake) - 5.5 miles, 1,736 acres
- [Little Vermilion Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/little-vermilion-lake) - 5.6 miles, 1,288 acres
- [Sand Point Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/sand-point-lake) - 6.5 miles, 8,527 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.27896,-92.53227)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69061600)
- [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/crane-lake)*