---
type: lake
name: "St. Louis River Estuary"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Duluth"
lake_type: "river lake"
acres: 10255
max_depth_ft: 55
latitude: 46.71544
longitude: -92.15718
lake_score: 82
dnr_lake_id: "69129100"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/st-louis-river-estuary
---

# St. Louis River Estuary

River lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Duluth

- **Surface Area**: 10,255 acres
- **Max Depth**: 55 ft
- **Shoreline**: 195.5 miles
- **Lake Type**: river lake
- **Public Access**: 4 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 82/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with Wisconsin

## About

St. Louis River Estuary is a 10,255-acre river lake near Duluth in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 55 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 195.5 miles of shoreline. The lake is a border water shared with Wisconsin, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 33 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, tiger muskellunge, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. 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 2025.

There are 4 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the city. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Spirit Mountain Campsite and River Place Campground are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.

## Access

- **Public access**: 4 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 33
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: No

## Activities

Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Carry-In Access, Swim Beach, Campground, Picnic Area, Marina

### Campgrounds

- Spirit Mountain Campsite
- River Place Campground
- Buffalo Valley Campground
- Fond du Lac Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Tiger Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Splake, Channel Catfish, Lake Sturgeon, Burbot, White Bass, Rock Bass, American Eel, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Gizzard Shad, Longnose Sucker, Quillback, Rainbow Smelt, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Perch, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [Thomson Reservoir](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carlton-county/thomson-reservoir) - 12.1 miles, 390 acres
- [Wild Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/wild-rice-lake) - 12.3 miles, 2,372 acres
- [Pike Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/pike-lake) - 12.5 miles, 488 acres
- [Caribou Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/caribou-lake) - 14.7 miles, 539 acres
- [Venoah Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carlton-county/venoah-lake) - 14.9 miles, 110 acres
- [Little Grand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/little-grand-lake) - 15.6 miles, 176 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.71544,-92.15718)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69129100)
- [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/st-louis-river-estuary)*