Saganaga Lake Fishing
Cook County, 18,767 acres, 280 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Gunflint Lake: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
Saganaga Lake in numbers
In Cook County, Saganaga Lake spreads across 18,767 acres as a lake. It reaches 280 feet at its deepest point. Census data put Grand Marais nearest, around 43 miles away. The Grand Marais DNR fisheries crew handles surveys here. The lake lies on Canada-Minnesota border water.
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, smallmouth bass and cisco, going by DNR survey records. Public use comes through 2 public water accesses. A population assessment on August 4, 2014 is the newest on file. Ice usually leaves around May 6, the DNR median across 41 records.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Gill net and trap net catch on Saganaga Lake
Read each row against its normal range; data from the population assessment on August 4, 2014.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Shallow gill nets | 90 | 3.46 | 0.85 | ||
| Walleye | 1/4-in trap nets | 1 | 0.06 | 1.58 | ||
| Northern pike | 1/4-in trap nets | 2 | 0.12 | 0.82 | ||
| Northern pike | Deep gill nets | 3 | 0.18 | 4.13 | ||
| Yellow perch | Small-mesh gill nets | 1 | 0.17 | 0.02 | ||
| Yellow perch | 1/4-in trap nets | 366 | 22.88 | |||
| Black crappie | 1/4-in trap nets | 3 | 0.19 | 0.33 | ||
| Black crappie | Shallow gill nets | 2 | 0.08 | 0.51 | ||
| Smallmouth bass | Shallow gill nets | 11 | 0.42 | 1.48 | ||
| Smallmouth bass | 1/4-in trap nets | 89 | 5.56 | 0.01 | ||
| Cisco species | Small-mesh gill nets | 19 | 3.17 | 0.03 | ||
| Cisco species | Deep gill nets | 216 | 12.71 | 0.34 |
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR notes on Saganaga Lake
“The 2014 assessment indicated Saganaga Lake continued to support fair numbers of walleye, and good northern pike, lake trout, and smallmouth bass populations.”
“Anglers willing to take a mixed bag can still find excellent fishing on this lake.”
“To address concerns over low numbers of small walleye, and an overall decline in numbers of walleye of all sizes in this lake, an experimental walleye regulation will be in place beginning March 1 2015.”
“The regulation, which covers only Minnesota waters of Saganaga Lake (including the Sea Gull River and Gull Lake) sets a minimum size limit of 17 inches for walleye.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Saganaga Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Trailering a boat to Saganaga Lake
- Saganaga Access1 ramp, 20 trailer stalls, Cook County
- Saganaga Lake Access1 ramp, toilet, Cook County
Landings neighboring Saganaga Lake
- Gull Lake Access near Grand MaraisGull, 6 miles south
- Sea Gull Lake (N) AccessSea Gull, 6 miles south
- Sea Gull Lake (E) AccessSea Gull, 7 miles south
- Larch Creek AccessLarch, 9 miles south
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
The Saganaga Lake basin
Secchi disk readings on Saganaga Lake number 42, the first in 1964.
Saganaga Lake has lost its ice as soon as April 2, 2012 and as late as May 19, 2014.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Gauge readings for Saganaga Lake
Gauge readers send the DNR the Saganaga Lake readings; the newest is shown with its date.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Saganaga Lake fish list
The list for Saganaga Lake follows the DNR LakeFinder record of fish caught in surveys over the last ten years or the latest survey.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Keeping walleye and panfish from Saganaga Lake
These Saganaga Lake rules take precedence over statewide limits.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Possession limit three, only one over 20". |
Border rows for Canada-Minnesota waters, including Saganaga Lake
| Species | Area | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | All Canada-Minnesota border waters except exceptions below | 6 combined total (only 1 over 20" in possession) | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Lake of the Woods and tributaries from mouth to upstream boundaries listed on p. 67 | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28"; walleye 19.5-28" must be immediately released) | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Four Mile Bay (southeast bay of Lake of the Woods) | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – April 14 each year |
| Walleye and sauger | Four Mile Bay (southeast bay of Lake of the Woods) | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28"; walleye 19.5-28" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Namakan, Sand Point and Little Vermilion lakes | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released; only 1 walleye over 26") | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Rainy Lake | 8 (not more than 4 can be walleye; walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released; only 1 walleye over 26") | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Rainy River (mouth to the dam at International Falls and all tributaries from the mouth to the upstream boundaries liste | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – April 14 each year |
| Walleye and sauger | Rainy River (mouth to the dam at International Falls and tributaries) | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28"; walleye 19.5-28" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Saganaga Lake | 3 (only 1 walleye over 20") | May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Northern pike | All Canada-Minnesota border waters except exceptions below | 3 (only 1 over 30" in possession) | Continuous |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 over 40" in possession, all from 30-40" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 northern pike 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 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 8, 2026 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 9, 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 |
Zone rows for Saganaga Lake: Northeast Zone.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Lakes near Saganaga Lake, side by side
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saganaga Lake | 18,767 | 280 | 2 | 3.46 | |
| Morris Lake, Cook County | 4 miles southeast | 61 | 22 | 0 | 2.67 |
| Tenor Lake | 4 miles southeast | 21 | 11 | 0 | 0.33 |
| Reward Lake | 4 miles southeast | 19 | 14 | 0 | |
| Roy Lake, Cook County | 5 miles south | 58 | 45 | 0 | |
| Shadow Lake | 5 miles southeast | 13 | 23 | 0 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Near Saganaga Lake on the map
Lakes neighboring Saganaga Lake
- Morris Lake, Cook County4 miles southeast
- Tenor Lake4 miles southeast
- Reward Lake4 miles southeast
- Roy Lake, Cook County5 miles south
- Shadow Lake5 miles southeast
Where to grab leeches near Saganaga Lake
- Tuscarora Lodge & Canoe Outfitterssporting goods store, Grand Marais, 12 miles
- Rockwood Outfitterssporting goods store, Grand Marais, 22 miles
Guide trips on Saganaga Lake
- Seagull Creek Fishing Campopen water guide / launch, Saganaga / Seagull lakes, (218) 388-9929
Saganaga Lake county pages
- Cook Countyseat: Grand Marais
Piscifun tackle for a day on Saganaga Lake
.jpg){kind=link}
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
What Minnesota anglers ask about Saganaga Lake
Where in Minnesota is Saganaga Lake?
Cook County holds it, managed from the Grand Marais fisheries office, about 43 miles from Grand Marais.
How many acres does LakeFinder list for Saganaga Lake?
About 18,767 acres, 280 feet at the deepest.
How many accesses does Saganaga Lake have?
2 public accesses, including Saganaga Lake Access.
Which fish has the DNR found in Saganaga Lake?
DNR surveys list walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, smallmouth bass, cisco and lake whitefish.
How many walleye did the DNR net in Saganaga Lake?
On August 4, 2014, a population assessment. walleye ran 3.46 per shallow gill net.
What are the limits on Saganaga Lake?
Walleye: Possession limit three, only one over 20".
What does a license for Saganaga Lake cost?
On border water a Minnesota license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) works under the shared rules; on Canadian water the Canadian portion needs a Canadian license.
When does the ice go out on Saganaga Lake?
The DNR median is May 6, with the latest record May 11, 2026.
Which shop is nearest Saganaga Lake?
Try Tuscarora Lodge & Canoe Outfitters, around 12 miles off.
Get out on Saganaga Lake this season
Buy the Minnesota license online before the drive north.