---
type: lake
name: "Dark Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Buhl"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 231
max_depth_ft: 31
latitude: 47.63538
longitude: -92.78141
lake_score: 56
dnr_lake_id: "69079000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/dark-lake
---

# Dark Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Buhl

- **Surface Area**: 231 acres
- **Max Depth**: 31 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 56/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Dark Lake is a 231-acre lake near Buhl in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 31 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2016.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 10
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2016
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Clear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/clear-lake-buhl) - 1.3 miles, 139 acres
- [Leander Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/leander-lake) - 3.1 miles, 252 acres
- [Fourteen Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/fourteen-lake) - 4.3 miles, 386 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/long-lake-chisholm) - 6.6 miles, 259 acres
- [Sand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/sand-lake) - 6.9 miles, 779 acres
- [Auto Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/auto-lake) - 7.5 miles, 97 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.63538,-92.78141)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69079000)
- [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/dark-lake)*