Fat Lake
About Fat Lake
Fat Lake is a 108-acre lake near Crane Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 50 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 22 feet, and has roughly 1.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 17.5 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 2 fish species here, including lake trout. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Fat Lake
- 108 acres, up to 50 feet deep, near Crane Lake
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: lake trout
- Average water clarity around 17.5 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 108 acres
- Max depth
- 50 ft
- Average depth
- 22 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 17.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 26 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 (1 mapped)
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
- 2
- Game fish
- 1
- 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
1 campground is mapped on or near Fat 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 Fat Lake
Compare Fat Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Fat Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Fat Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Fat Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Fat Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Eugene Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake181 acres
1.1 miles away
Beartrack Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake156 acres
1.4 miles away
Little Loon Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake167 acres
1.8 miles away
Gun Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake184 acres
2.5 miles away
Finger Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake272 acres
3 miles away
Takucmich Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake338 acres
3.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Fat Lake?
Fat Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Crane Lake. It covers 108 acres and reaches 50 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Fat Lake?
Fat Lake covers 108 acres with about 1.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 50 feet and its average depth is about 22 feet.
What fish can you catch at Fat Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Lake Trout. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Fat Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Fat Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Fat 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 Fat Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Fat Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Fat Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.