---
type: lake
name: "Franklin Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Crane Lake"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 156
max_depth_ft: 18
latitude: 48.30009
longitude: -92.6139
lake_score: 34
dnr_lake_id: "69075400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/franklin-lake
---

# Franklin Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Crane Lake

- **Surface Area**: 156 acres
- **Max Depth**: 18 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 7.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Portage access only
- **Lake Score**: 34/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Franklin Lake is a 156-acre lake near Crane Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 18 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.2 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 3 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2021.

Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.

## Access

- **Public access**: Portage access only
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses
- **Wilderness permit**: BWCAW entry permit required

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 3
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2021
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling, Canoe Tripping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lake Marion](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/lake-marion) - 2.9 miles, 183 acres
- [Johnson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/johnson-lake) - 3.2 miles, 1,736 acres
- [Moose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/moose-lake-crane-lake) - 3.6 miles, 228 acres
- [Crane Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/crane-lake) - 4 miles, 2,921 acres
- [Spring Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/spring-lake) - 5 miles, 219 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/long-lake) - 5.2 miles, 478 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.30009,-92.6139)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69075400)
- [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/franklin-lake)*