Little Trout Lake
About Little Trout Lake
Little Trout Lake is a 528-acre lake near Soudan in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 37 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.7 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service. 7 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Little Trout Lake
- 528 acres, up to 37 feet deep, near Soudan
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the US Forest Service
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 7.7 feet
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 528 acres
- Max depth
- 37 ft
- Shoreline
- 5 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 178 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
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- 3 carry-in accesses
- Camping (7 mapped)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- 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
- 10
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
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 Little Trout 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 Little Trout Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Gowan Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck134 acres
1.9 miles away
Trout Lake
73 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower7,425 acres
2.5 miles away
Oriniack Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower744 acres
3 miles away
Chad Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake265 acres
3.1 miles away
Merritt Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower198 acres
4 miles away
Pine Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Soudan830 acres
4.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Trout Lake?
Little Trout Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Soudan. It covers 528 acres and reaches 37 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Trout Lake?
Little Trout Lake covers 528 acres with about 5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 37 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Trout Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Trout Lake?
Yes. Little Trout Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the US Forest Service. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Little Trout Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Trout 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 Little Trout Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Little Trout Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Little Trout Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.