This Surprising Lake Is Minnesota’s Deepest by Far
Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but just which one of those lakes is the deepest in the state? And, no, it's not the one you're likely thinking it is!
When it comes to lakes, it's tough to beat us here in Minnesota, right? And while our famous state slogan says there are 10,000 lakes in this land, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) points out that there are actually 11,842 lakes here in the North Star State. (I'm not sure why we don't update that slogan; maybe it's because the slogan 'Land of 11,842 Lakes' isn't as catchy.)
Which lake is the deepest in Minnesota?
But as the spring weather warms up and with Memorial Day and the summer season right around the corner, thoughts of heading up north to spend some time at your favorite lake become more common here in the Bold North. But just which one of Minnesota's 11,842 lakes is the deepest-- and how deep is it?
Well, of course, the DEEPEST lake would be Lake Superior. I mean, it's only the largest freshwater lake in the WORLD, and it's also the deepest-- by a long shot. The Minnesota DNR says Lake Superior reaches a depth of an astounding 1,290 feet.
But Lake Superior isn't located entirely within Minnesota's borders, however. So, which inland Minnesota lake *is* the deepest? Again, the answer is a little murky.
The Minnesota DNR says Portsmouth Mine Pit, located near Crosby, Minnesota, is the deepest, at a depth of 450 feet. But this Minnesota Star Tribune story says Mahnomen, Arco and Alstead Lake, named for three adjacent mine pits that have since filled in with water, is actually deeper, reaching a depth of 525 feet.
Okay, so which natural lake is the deepest in Minnesota, then?
However, as we just noted, neither of those two bodies of water are naturally occurring lakes. So, if we look at Minnesota lakes that *weren't* created by man, which one is the deepest in the state?
The DNR says that honor would go to beautiful Saganaga Lake in Cook County, which would be the next deepest in Minnesota, at 280 feet deep. But it's right on the international border and is split between Minnesota and Canada.
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So if you want the deepest inland, naturally occurring lake that is entirely within the borders of Minnesota, you have to head up Loon Lake in Cook County along the Gunflint Trail, according to the DNR, the Star Tribune noted. It reaches a whopping 214.9 feet deep. There's also Ten Mile Lake in Cass County, about 400 miles northwest of the Twin Cities, which is 209 feet deep.
Perhaps you already knew which lakes were the deepest here in our fair state. But just how well do you know your other obscure facts about the Bold North? Keep scrolling to see how to test your knowledge of all things Minnesota!
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10 Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Minnesota
