Iron Lake
About Iron Lake
Iron Lake is a 1,962-acre lake near Winton in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 64 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 53.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.7 feet. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including walleye, sauger, northern pike, black crappie, yellow perch, and lake whitefish. 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. 7 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.
Plan Your Visit to Iron Lake
- 1,962 acres, up to 64 feet deep, near Winton
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, sauger, northern pike, black crappie, yellow perch, and lake whitefish
- Average water clarity around 7.7 feet
- Camping close to the water
- Border water with Canada — know which side of the line you are fishing on
- Listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,962 acres
- Max depth
- 64 ft
- Shoreline
- 53.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.7 ft
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
- Border-water seasons and limits with Canada differ from Minnesota inland rules
Facilities
- Camping (7 mapped)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 8
- Game fish
- 7
- 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
7 campgrounds are mapped on or near Iron 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 Iron Lake
Compare Iron Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Iron Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Iron Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Rush Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Winton115 acres
2.9 miles away
Stuart Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely776 acres
5 miles away
Kelsey Lake
38 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck134 acres
5.4 miles away
Lake Agnes
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake1,045 acres
5.6 miles away
Toe Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck169 acres
5.9 miles away
Crooked Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely10,360 acres
7.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Iron Lake?
Iron Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Winton. It covers 1,962 acres and reaches 64 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Iron Lake?
Iron Lake covers 1,962 acres with about 53.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 64 feet.
What fish can you catch at Iron Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Lake Whitefish, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Iron Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Iron Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Iron 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 Iron Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Iron Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Iron Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Iron Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Iron Lake as infested with spiny waterflea. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.