Of all the possible 10,000 or more lakes in Minnesota, Lake Kabetogama (pronounced cab-eh-toe-gama) lies in far northern Minnesota. The International Dark Sky Association (IDA) designated Lake Kabetogama an International Dark Sky Place, where the skies are free from man-made light.
Most of Voyageurs National Park is undeveloped with natural shorelines. The park offers 17 independently owned and operated Kabetogama Lake resorts, lush forests teeming with wildlife, world-class fishing, and stunning star-studded nights.
Lake Kabetogama is one of about 30 glacier-filled rock basin lakes in this national park and the only lake in the park entirely within U.S. borders. Voyageurs National remains abundantly natural and the same as it was when the voyageurs and fur traders populated it hundreds of years ago.
Lake Kabetogama‘s Name Origins
French-Canadian voyageurs explored and paddled the Great Lakes region and established the fur trade, and were among the first Europeans to negotiate with Native tribes. The Ojibwe name for Kabetogama Lake in Minnesota is Ga-bi’-togum-ag’ za’-ga-I-gun, which translates to “the lake that lies parallel or double with another lake”.
This refers to the lake’s position parallel to Rainy Lake. The two lakes are separated by a narrow peninsula. The Ojibwe words Kabe and Ogema mean “all” and “chief” respectively. Some say the name could also mean God’s County. French fur trappers called the lake Travere or Travers, which means “alongside.
Where Is Lake Kabetogama?
Lake Kabetogama lies in St. Louis County, in far north Minnesota. Visitors can access Lake Kabetogama Lake by the gateway community of Kabetogama .Take US 53 north to Kabetogama or take US 71 north to MN 217/MN 65 to US 53.
What Is the Maximum Depth of Lake Kabetogama?
Kabetogama Lake is Minnesota’s sixth-largest lake. It covers about 26,000 acres with a maximum depth of 80 feet and an average depth of 29 or 30 feet, and is 20-miles long and six-miles wide. Over 100 islands and a slew of bays lie within its waters.
What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Kabetogama?
Lake Kabetogama’s large walleye population brings on the anglers. Smaller numbers of crappie, northern pike, sauger, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. In 2024, the combined possession limit for walleye and sauger is six. Only four of the six can be walleye. All walleye between 18 to 26 inches must be released immediately.
Walleyes spawn in early May right after ice out around the islands and vast shorelines because those waters warm up first in the spring. In mid to late May, find walleye 10 to 15 feet-deep. They move deeper and hang around structure at 15 to 20 feet in June and dive deeper to 30 to 35 feet as summer comes on, but smaller walleyes will stay a little closer to the surface.
What Does Lake Kabetogama Look Like?
Mostly undeveloped landscape surrounds Lake Kabetogama that transitions between boreal and hardwood forests. The community of Kabetogama is located on the lake’s south shore and serves as the gateway to Voyageurs National Park.
Nature lovers see healthy populations of bald eagles, bear, deer, ducks, and loons off the lake’s shores; moose sightings are rare. Nature elicits awe on the 20-plus miles of hiking trails, pristine waters, and peaceful paddling trips around the islands and shores.
In Voyageurs National Park, Lake Kabetogama is part of four large interconnecting lakes. Boaters are free to travel through this waterway-centric wilderness area with a boat, canoe, or kayak. Glaciers created Lake Kabetogama’s rocky 500-mile glacier-carved shoreline.
Lake Kabetogama Amenities
The National Park Service, which operates Lake Kabetogama, offers hikes, programs, and regularly scheduled interpretive tours. To get to the park’s visitor center, take US 53 to Salmi Road, go north for 1.35 miles, then go east on Gappa Road, which shortly turns north, and take a left on Cedar Lane to 9940 Cedar Lane, Kabetogama, Minnesota.
Wintertime at Lake Kabetogama lures snowshoers and snowmobilers and offer snowy fun in sparkling winter-scapes. Voyageurs National Park is open for all four breathtaking far North American seasons. The 17 resorts offer a range of lakefront sites, with accommodations ranging from rustic or quaint cabins to luxury homes.
Can You Swim in Lake Kabetogama?
We do not see how one could not swim in Lake Kabetogama in the heat of the summer. Its view from some of the bays looking out to the islands, or serene inlets, the water sparkles and usually, you can see nine feet of clarity.
Yes, you can indeed swim in Lake Kabetogama. Yet, it is a glacial lake, and the water is cold, even in the hottest months of summer. Lake Kabetogama boasts wonderful beaches all around it and in the resorts. The water warms up quicker near the shore in shallower waters, so you can take your pick, water chairs with waves gently rolling or cooler dips that will wake up your senses.
