Little Trout Lake
About Little Trout Lake
Little Trout Lake is a 272-acre lake near Crane Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 95 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 43 feet, and has roughly 4.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 21.5 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, and rock bass. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to lake trout, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in.
Plan Your Visit to Little Trout Lake
- 272 acres, up to 95 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: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, and rock bass
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 21.5 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- National Park Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 272 acres
- Max depth
- 95 ft
- Average depth
- 43 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 21.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 79 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
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
Best For
- 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
- 7
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Special regulations on this lake
- Lake Trout: Catch-and-release only.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Little Trout Lake
Compare Little Trout Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Little Trout Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Little Trout Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Little Trout Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
O'Leary Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake202 acres
1.5 miles away
Sand Point Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake8,527 acres
2 miles away
Mukooda Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake774 acres
4.5 miles away
Johnson Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake1,736 acres
5 miles away
Spring Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake219 acres
5.3 miles away
Namakan Lake
71 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ray24,066 acres
7.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Trout Lake?
Little Trout Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Crane Lake. It covers 272 acres and reaches 95 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Trout Lake?
Little Trout Lake covers 272 acres with about 4.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 95 feet and its average depth is about 43 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Trout Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Trout Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
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?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Little Trout Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Little Trout Lake?
Yes. Catch-and-release only.