Esquagama Lake
About Esquagama Lake
Esquagama Lake is a 453-acre lake near Biwabik in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 90 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2018.
No public water access is on record with the DNR, so getting on the water generally depends on a resort, private landing or permission from a shoreline owner. Ice typically goes out around April 27, based on 13 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Esquagama Lake
- 453 acres, up to 90 feet deep, near Biwabik
- No public access on record — access is through resorts, private landings or shoreline owners
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 6 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- No public access on record
- Launch fee
- —
Conditions
- Surface area
- 453 acres
- Max depth
- 90 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 82 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
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 11
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2018
- 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.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 27
- Years of record
- 13
- Earliest
- April 10, 2021
- Latest
- May 9, 2022
- Most recent
- April 24, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Esquagama Lake
Compare Esquagama Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
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58 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Biwabik147 acres
2 miles away
Cedar Island Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Biwabik205 acres
2.2 miles away
Lost Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Biwabik124 acres
2.3 miles away
Embarrass Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Biwabik463 acres
4.3 miles away
Gilbert Pit
82 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Gilbert243 acres
4.8 miles away
Canton Pit
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Belgrade (St. Louis)161 acres
4.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Esquagama Lake?
Esquagama Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Biwabik. It covers 453 acres and reaches 90 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Esquagama Lake?
Esquagama Lake covers 453 acres with about 5.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 90 feet.
What fish can you catch at Esquagama Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Esquagama Lake?
No. The DNR lists no public water access on Esquagama Lake.
Can you swim at Esquagama Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Esquagama 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 Esquagama Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Esquagama Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Esquagama Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 27, from 13 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 10, 2021 and the latest is May 9, 2022.