Cruiser Lake
About Cruiser Lake
Cruiser Lake is an 118-acre lake near Ray in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 91 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 44 feet, and has roughly 3.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 28 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 3 fish species here, including yellow perch and lake trout. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2015.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. Cruiser Lake is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Cruiser Lake
- 118 acres, up to 91 feet deep, near Ray
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: yellow perch and lake trout
- Average water clarity around 28 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water at Cruiser Lake
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- National Park Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 118 acres
- Max depth
- 91 ft
- Average depth
- 44 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 28 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 22 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
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- Camping: Cruiser Lake
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 3
- Game fish
- 2
- 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
Cruiser Lake is mapped on or near Cruiser 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 Cruiser Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Peary Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Kabetogama116 acres
2.5 miles away
Shoepack Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · International Falls299 acres
3.3 miles away
Lake Kabetogama
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ray24,034 acres
7.3 miles away
Namakan Lake
71 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ray24,066 acres
7.8 miles away
Locator Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · International Falls133 acres
9.6 miles away
Rainy Lake
89 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · International Falls210,200 acres
10 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cruiser Lake?
Cruiser Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ray. It covers 118 acres and reaches 91 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Cruiser Lake?
Cruiser Lake covers 118 acres with about 3.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 91 feet and its average depth is about 44 feet.
What fish can you catch at Cruiser Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Yellow Perch and Lake Trout. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Cruiser Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Cruiser Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Cruiser 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 Cruiser Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Cruiser Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Cruiser Lake?
Yes. Cruiser Lake is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.