Trout Lake
About Trout Lake
Trout Lake is a 7,425-acre lake near Tower in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 98 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 68.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 14.6 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, 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 2025.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 38 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Trout Lake
- 7,425 acres, up to 98 feet deep, near Tower
- Carry-in 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, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 14.6 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 7,425 acres
- Max depth
- 98 ft
- Shoreline
- 68.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 14.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 1,613 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 trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 7 carry-in accesses
- Camping (38 mapped)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Big water: wind builds dangerous waves quickly, so check the forecast and carry safety gear
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 10
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- 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
38 campgrounds are mapped on or near Trout 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 Trout Lake
Compare Trout Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Trout Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Trout Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Trout Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Trout Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Merritt Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower198 acres
1.9 miles away
Little Trout Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Soudan528 acres
2.5 miles away
Oriniack Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Tower744 acres
2.5 miles away
Pine Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Soudan830 acres
4 miles away
Gowan Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck134 acres
4.3 miles away
Chad Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake265 acres
4.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Trout Lake?
Trout Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Tower. It covers 7,425 acres and reaches 98 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Trout Lake?
Trout Lake covers 7,425 acres with about 68.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 98 feet.
What fish can you catch at Trout Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Trout Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Trout Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Trout 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 Trout Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Trout Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Trout Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.