Pauline Lake
About Pauline Lake
Pauline Lake is a 63-acre lake near Buyck in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 25 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 1.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.5 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 4 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2021.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Pauline Lake
- 63 acres, up to 25 feet deep, near Buyck
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 8.5 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
- 63 acres
- Max depth
- 25 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 8.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 25 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
- 2 portage accesses
- Camping (1 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
- 4
- Game fish
- 3
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2021
- 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
1 campground is mapped on or near Pauline 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 Pauline Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Astrid Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck120 acres
0.8 miles away
Jeanette Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck612 acres
2.2 miles away
Picket Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck317 acres
3.6 miles away
Upper Pauness Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake192 acres
5.9 miles away
Lower Pauness Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake171 acres
6.3 miles away
Echo Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck1,142 acres
7.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pauline Lake?
Pauline Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Buyck. It covers 63 acres and reaches 25 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Pauline Lake?
Pauline Lake covers 63 acres with about 1.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 25 feet.
What fish can you catch at Pauline Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Pauline Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Pauline Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Pauline 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 Pauline Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Pauline Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Pauline Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.