Cummings Lake
About Cummings Lake
Cummings Lake is a 1,038-acre lake near Burntside Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 41 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 19.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.2 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 8 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, and rock bass. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 15 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Cummings Lake
- 1,038 acres, up to 41 feet deep, near Burntside Lake
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 6.2 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
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,038 acres
- Max depth
- 41 ft
- Shoreline
- 19.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 6.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 493 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
Facilities
- 6 portage accesses
- Camping (15 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 8
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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
15 campgrounds are mapped on or near Cummings 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 Cummings Lake
Compare Cummings Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Cummings Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Cummings Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Cummings Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Cummings Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Niswi Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake105 acres
2 miles away
Lunetta Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake100 acres
2.7 miles away
Big Moose Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely1,025 acres
3.8 miles away
Western Lake
14 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake131 acres
3.8 miles away
Coxey Pond
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake192 acres
4 miles away
Buck Lake
16 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake208 acres
4.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cummings Lake?
Cummings Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Burntside Lake. It covers 1,038 acres and reaches 41 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Cummings Lake?
Cummings Lake covers 1,038 acres with about 19.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 41 feet.
What fish can you catch at Cummings Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Cummings Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Cummings Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Cummings 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 Cummings Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Cummings Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Cummings Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.