Minnesota counties
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Fishing in Carlton County, Minnesota
Seat: Carlton. Northeast region.
- 35lakes
- 26accesses
- 34trout streams
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Carlton County, Minnesota
Carlton County fishing in brief
The Northeast region takes in Carlton County, governed from Carlton. Census tables credit Carlton County with 861 square miles of land and 14 of lakes and rivers.
Of the 35 lake pages in the county (5,780 acres), Sand Lake, Pine County is biggest. There are 26 public water accesses mapped here, 19 for trailers. The DNR designates 34 streams here as trout water. Of the lakes here, 35 have survey catch posted and 21 held walleye. The county counts 3 DNR fishing piers and shore sites.
35lake pages
26public accesses
34trout streams
1bait shops
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Every public access in Carlton County
Minnesota DNR access and fishing site layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Lakes
Lakes and ponds in Carlton County
| Lake | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Lake, Pine County | 527 | 47 | 1 | 2.22 |
| Big Lake, Carlton County | 526 | 25 | 1 | |
| Hanging Horn Lake | 409 | 80 | 2 | 2.22 |
| Thomson Reservoir | 390 | 22 | 0 | 4.22 |
| Eagle Lake, Carlton County | 389 | 35 | 1 | 5.11 |
| Park Lake | 381 | 16 | 1 | 0.22 |
| Lower (South) Island Lake | 320 | 22 | 1 | 1.67 |
| Chub Lake, Carlton County | 313 | 28 | 1 | 0.67 |
| Moosehead Lake | 279 | 18 | 1 | 2.17 |
| Tamarack Lake, Carlton County | 235 | 48 | 1 | 3 |
| Cole Lake | 142 | 24 | 1 | 1.17 |
| Hay Lake, Carlton County | 140 | 14 | 1 | 4 |
| Net Lake, Pine County | 138 | 15 | 0 | |
| Moose Lake, Carlton County | 133 | 67 | 0 | 0.17 |
| Sand Lake, Carlton County | 128 | 27 | 1 | |
| Torch Light Lake | 126 | 14 | 0 | 1 |
| Little Hanging Horn Lake | 114 | 70 | 1 | 0.17 |
| Upper (North) Island Lake | 114 | 25 | 0 | 0.83 |
| Venoah Lake | 110 | 25 | 0 | |
| Echo Lake, Carlton County | 108 | 47 | 1 | |
| Cross Lake, Carlton County | 107 | 23 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Bear Lake near Barnum, Carlton County | 100 | 31 | 1 | 1 |
| Bob Lake | 77 | 29.5 | 1 | 0.75 |
| Coffee Lake, Carlton County | 71 | 53 | 0 | |
| Bang Lake | 61 | 9 | 0 | |
| Twentynine Lake | 52 | 25 | 0 | |
| Bear Lake near Carlton, Carlton County | 50 | 28 | 0 | |
| Blackhoof Lake | 41 | 9 | 0 | 0.11 |
| Spring Lake, Carlton County | 36 | 25 | 0 | |
| Forbay Lake | 35 | 34 | 0 | 6.5 |
| Graham Lake, Carlton County | 34 | 21 | 1 | |
| Hizer Lake | 34 | 9 | 0 | |
| Corona Lake | 27 | 30 | 0 | |
| Eddy Lake, Carlton County | 24 | 37 | 0 | 0.38 |
| Springer Lake | 8 | 50.8 | 0 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
More waters
Additional waters in Carlton County
Another 8 lakes and ponds in Carlton County sit in LakeFinder with sparse records.
| Water | Acres | Max depth ft | DNR number | Accesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed (Wrenshall) | 201 | 59 | 09016700 | 1 |
| Unnamed (Scanlon) | 71 | 65 | 09016900 | 0 |
| Unnamed (Scanlon) | 55 | 32 | 09016800 | 0 |
| Rogers Lake, Carlton County | 7 | 10 | 09013900 | 0 |
| Island Lake, Carlton County | 09006000 | 0 | ||
| Kettle Lake, Carlton County | 09004900 | 1 | ||
| Miller Lake, Carlton County | 09005300 | 1 | ||
| Perch Lake, Carlton County | 09003600 | 1 |
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Streams
Creeks running through Carlton County
- St. Louis Riverriver, 26 accesses
- Kettle Riverriver, 8 accesses
- Blackhoof Riverriver, designated trout stream, 1 access
- Moose Horn Riverriver, designated trout stream, 1 access
- Nemadji Riverriver, designated trout stream
- Split Rock Riverriver
- Nemadji River, South Forkriver, designated trout stream
- Net Riverriver, designated trout stream
- Nemadji Creekcreek, designated trout stream
- Mud Creek, Carlton Countycreek, designated trout stream
- Skunk Creek, Carlton Countycreek, designated trout stream
- Little Otter Creekcreek, designated trout stream
- State Line Creekcreek, designated trout stream
- Rock Creekcreek, designated trout stream
- Hay Creek, Carlton Countycreek, designated trout stream
- Clear Creek near Wrenshall, Carlton Countycreek, designated trout stream
- Deer Creekcreek, designated trout stream
- Mission Creekcreek, designated trout stream
- Clear Creek near Barnum, Carlton Countycreek, designated trout stream
- Fond du Lac Creekcreek, designated trout stream
- Hunters Creekcreek, designated trout stream
Where trout swim in Carlton County
Another 16 streams are designated trout water.
- Anderson Creek3.9 mi, near Kerrick
- Elm Creek2.9 mi, near Proctor
- Gill Creek1.3 mi, near Wrenshall
- King Creek3 mi, near Barnum
- Little Net River9.1 mi, near Wrenshall
- Midway River0 mi, near Scanlon
- Moose Horn River0.1 mi, near Barnum
- Nemadji Creek1.8 mi, near Barnum
- Otter Creek0 mi, near Carlton
- Prairie River8.5 mi, near Cromwell
- Red River3.4 mi, near Wrenshall
- Section 36 Creek3.6 mi, near Wrenshall
- Silver Creek3.3 mi, near Wrenshall
- Slaughterhouse Creek1.7 mi, near Carlton
- Spring Creek1.6 mi, near Barnum
- Stony Brook3.3 mi, near Barnum
Flow across Carlton County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis River At Scanlon, Mn | 6,620 cfs, 6.42 ft gage height | Nov 10 11:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 12:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
DNR designated trout stream layer.
Accesses
Public accesses of Carlton County
- Bear Lake Access near BarnumBear, 1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet
- Big Lake Access near CloquetBig, 1 ramp, 20 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet
- Blackhoof River AccessBlackhoof River, carry-in access, 2 trailer stalls
- Bob Lake AccessBob, 1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls
- Chub Lake AccessChub, 1 ramp, 9 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet
- Cole Lake AccessCole, 1 ramp, 7 trailer stalls
- Eagle Lake Access near CromwellEagle, 1 ramp, 15 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet
- Echo Lake Access near Moose LakeEcho, 1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet
- Graham Lake Access near KerrickGraham, carry-in access, 3 trailer stalls
- Hanging Horn Lake AccessHanging Horn, 1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet
- Hanging Horn Lake East AccessHanging Horn, carry-in access, 2 docks
- Hay Lake Access near WrenshallHay, 1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls
- Island Lake Access near CromwellLower (South) Island, 1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet
- Kettle Lake AccessKettle, 1 ramp
- Little Hanging Horn Lake AccessLittle Hanging Horn, 1 ramp, 3 trailer stalls, 1 dock
- Miller Lake AccessMiller, carry-in access, 2 trailer stalls
- Moose Horn Lake, Moose Lake Access, 1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls
- Moose Horn River, Barnum AccessMoose Horn River, carry-in access, toilet
- Moosehead Lake AccessMoosehead, 1 ramp, 7 trailer stalls, 1 dock
- Park Lake AccessPark, 1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, 1 dock
- Perch Lake Access near CloquetPerch, 1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls
- Sand Lake Access near BarnumSand, 1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, toilet
- St. Louis River, Cloquet AccessSt. Louis River, 1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet
- St. Louis River, Fond du Lac Reservoir AccessUnnamed, carry-in access
- Tamarack Lake Access near WrightTamarack, 1 ramp, 7 trailer stalls, 1 dock
- Thomson Reservoir AccessSt. Louis River, carry-in access
Piers and shore spots of Carlton County (3)
- Big Lake Fishing Pier, Big Lake Public Water Access Site 2fishing pier, Big
- Echo Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, Echo
- Moosehead Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, Moosehead
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites.
Limits
Keeping fish in Carlton County
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
| Stream trout | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
The county seat lies in the North-central Zone for pike and bass; lakes near a zone line can fall in the other zone.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations; lake pages show any special regulation.
Tournaments
Permitted events in Carlton County
| Date | Event | Water |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-14 | 2026 9th Annual Fishing for Vets | Moosehead Lake |
Local help
Shops serving Carlton County
Minnow and tackle stores in Carlton County
- Outdoor Advantagesporting goods store, Cloquet
Fish house rentals and guides in Carlton County
- So Hooked Outdoorsfishing guide (season not stated), Cloquet, (218) 326-2440
- White Water Charteropen water guide / launch, Carlton, (218) 940-3892
Nearby
Beyond the shore of Carlton County
Communities across Carlton County
- Cloquetpop. 12,568
- Moose Lakepop. 2,789
- Scanlonpop. 987
- Carltonpop. 948
- Barnumpop. 620
- Wrenshallpop. 428
- Cromwellpop. 240
- Wrightpop. 168
- Kettle Riverpop. 166
Counties bordering Carlton County
- Pine County35 miles south
- Aitkin County36 miles west
- Kanabec County54 miles southwest
- Mille Lacs County65 miles southwest
In photos
Photos of places near Carlton County
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region, Public domain
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Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Jakes19, CC BY 2.5
Photo: Mr. Moment from Minnesota, CC BY 2.0
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Answers
What Minnesota anglers ask about Carlton County
How many accesses does Carlton County count?
26 public accesses on file, 19 for trailers.
Which lake should a first trip in Carlton County try?
Sand Lake, Pine County, 527 acres.
Is there stream trout fishing in Carlton County?
There are 34 designated trout streams.
What northern pike rules apply in Carlton County?
Map position of Carlton puts the county in the North-central Zone.
Where can I buy minnows in Carlton County?
Try Outdoor Advantage; there are 1 listed.
Are guides based in Carlton County?
2 guides and outfitters work from the county.
How many surveyed lakes are in Carlton County?
35 lakes with pages have survey catch; walleye turned up in 21.
Which town serves as the Carlton County seat?
Carlton, the seat.
Which Minnesota license does Carlton County call for?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51. Designated trout water takes a Minnesota angling license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) and the $10 trout and salmon stamp validation for ages 18 to 64.
Fish across Carlton County
Lake pages list surveys, accesses and limits.