Gun Lake
About Gun Lake
Gun Lake is an 184-acre lake near Crane Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 135 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 36 feet, and has roughly 5.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 16.9 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 3 fish species here, including smallmouth bass, lake trout, and burbot. 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 2025.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. 3 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Gun Lake
- 184 acres, up to 135 feet deep, near Crane Lake
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: smallmouth bass, lake trout, and burbot
- Average water clarity around 16.9 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 184 acres
- Max depth
- 135 ft
- Average depth
- 36 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 16.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 24 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
- Camping (3 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
- 3
- Game fish
- 3
- Stocked
- Yes
- 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
3 campgrounds are mapped on or near Gun 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 Gun Lake
Compare Gun Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Gun Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Gun Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Gun Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Gun Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Eugene Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake181 acres
1.4 miles away
Takucmich Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake338 acres
1.4 miles away
Beartrack Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake156 acres
1.5 miles away
Fat Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake108 acres
2.5 miles away
Finger Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake272 acres
2.7 miles away
Lac la Croix
67 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely29,597 acres
3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gun Lake?
Gun Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Crane Lake. It covers 184 acres and reaches 135 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Gun Lake?
Gun Lake covers 184 acres with about 5.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 135 feet and its average depth is about 36 feet.
What fish can you catch at Gun Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Smallmouth Bass, Lake Trout, and Burbot. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Gun Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Gun Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Gun 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 Gun Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Gun Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Gun Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.