Lower Pauness Lake
About Lower Pauness Lake
Lower Pauness Lake is a 171-acre lake near Crane Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 36 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5 feet. Access is by portage through Superior National Forest; most lakes reached this way lie in or beside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where an entry permit is required.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, burbot, and rock bass. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 8 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Lower Pauness Lake
- 171 acres, up to 36 feet deep, near Crane Lake
- Portage access only — 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, burbot, and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 5 feet
- Camping close to the water
- Boundary Waters country: entry permit required, no cans or glass bottles, and motors are restricted on most lakes
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Portage access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 171 acres
- Max depth
- 36 ft
- Shoreline
- 5 mi
- Water clarity
- 5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 113 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 BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
Facilities
- 4 portage accesses
- Camping (8 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- 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
- 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
8 campgrounds are mapped on or near Lower Pauness 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 Lower Pauness Lake
Compare Lower Pauness Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Lower Pauness Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Lower Pauness Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Lower Pauness Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Lower Pauness Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Upper Pauness Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake192 acres
0.6 miles away
Shell Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake493 acres
1.7 miles away
Heritage Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake207 acres
2.6 miles away
Lynx Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake291 acres
2.8 miles away
Jeanette Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck612 acres
4.3 miles away
Hustler Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake277 acres
4.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lower Pauness Lake?
Lower Pauness Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Crane Lake. It covers 171 acres and reaches 36 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Lower Pauness Lake?
Lower Pauness Lake covers 171 acres with about 5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 36 feet.
What fish can you catch at Lower Pauness Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Burbot, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Lower Pauness Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Lower Pauness Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Lower Pauness 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 Lower Pauness Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Lower Pauness Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Lower Pauness Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.