Peary Lake
About Peary Lake
Peary Lake is an 116-acre lake near Kabetogama in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 15 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 8 feet, and has roughly 2.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including northern pike, black crappie, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and rock bass. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. Peary Lake is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Peary Lake
- 116 acres, up to 15 feet deep, near Kabetogama
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, black crappie, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 7.8 feet
- Camping close to the water at Peary Lake
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- National Park Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 116 acres
- Max depth
- 15 ft
- Average depth
- 8 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 116 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
- Camping: Peary Lake
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 8
- Game fish
- 5
- 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
Peary Lake is mapped on or near Peary 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 Peary Lake
Compare Peary Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
Cruiser Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ray118 acres
2.5 miles away
Shoepack Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · International Falls299 acres
5.2 miles away
Namakan Lake
71 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ray24,066 acres
7.4 miles away
Lake Kabetogama
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ray24,034 acres
9.5 miles away
Rainy Lake
89 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · International Falls210,200 acres
10.6 miles away
Locator Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · International Falls133 acres
10.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Peary Lake?
Peary Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Kabetogama. It covers 116 acres and reaches 15 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Peary Lake?
Peary Lake covers 116 acres with about 2.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 15 feet and its average depth is about 8 feet.
What fish can you catch at Peary Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Peary Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Peary Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Peary 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 Peary Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Peary Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Peary Lake?
Yes. Peary Lake is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.