---
type: lake
name: "Little Trout Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Crane Lake"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 272
max_depth_ft: 95
latitude: 48.39659
longitude: -92.52136
lake_score: 63
dnr_lake_id: "69068200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/little-trout-lake-crane-lake
---

# Little Trout Lake

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

- **Surface Area**: 272 acres
- **Max Depth**: 95 ft
- **Average Depth**: 43 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 21.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Public access on record
- **Lake Score**: 63/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Public access on record
- **Managed by**: National Park Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 7
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Lake Trout**: Catch-and-release only.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling

## Amenities

None on record

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Rock Bass, Green Sunfish

## Nearby Lakes

- [O'Leary Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/o-leary-lake) - 1.5 miles, 202 acres
- [Sand Point Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/sand-point-lake) - 2 miles, 8,527 acres
- [Mukooda Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/mukooda-lake) - 4.5 miles, 774 acres
- [Johnson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/johnson-lake) - 5 miles, 1,736 acres
- [Spring Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/spring-lake) - 5.3 miles, 219 acres
- [Namakan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/namakan-lake) - 7.1 miles, 24,066 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.39659,-92.52136)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69068200)
- [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/little-trout-lake-crane-lake)*