Upper Pauness Lake
About Upper Pauness Lake
Upper Pauness Lake is a 192-acre lake near Crane Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 15 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4 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, bluegill, yellow perch, and burbot. 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. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Upper Pauness Lake
- 192 acres, up to 15 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, bluegill, yellow perch, and burbot
- Average water clarity around 4 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
- 192 acres
- Max depth
- 15 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 192 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
- 3 portage accesses
- Camping (1 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice fishing
- 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
1 campground is mapped on or near Upper 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 Upper Pauness Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Lower Pauness Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake171 acres
0.6 miles away
Shell Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake493 acres
2.2 miles away
Heritage Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake207 acres
3.1 miles away
Lynx Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake291 acres
3.3 miles away
Jeanette Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck612 acres
4 miles away
Loon Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake2,498 acres
4.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Upper Pauness Lake?
Upper Pauness Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Crane Lake. It covers 192 acres and reaches 15 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Upper Pauness Lake?
Upper Pauness Lake covers 192 acres with about 3.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 15 feet.
What fish can you catch at Upper Pauness Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Burbot. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Upper Pauness Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Upper Pauness Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Upper 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 Upper Pauness Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Upper Pauness Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Upper 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.