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A cloud bank lit orange over Slim Lake at sunset, reflected across the width of the water

Lake trip · St. Louis County, Minnesota

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Where to stay at Burntside Lake

Burntside Lake covers 7,314 acres in St. Louis County and carries a water-quality grade of A (Excellent). Compare cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals below. The grade measures nutrients and algae — it is not a stay-or-skip rating. Open water runs roughly Apr 30 to Dec 2, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.

Slim Lake, Washburn County, Wisconsin. Photo: LakeQualityOriginal photograph

Places to stay near Burntside Lake

Cabins, resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals near Burntside Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota — live availability and prices. Add your dates to see totals.

Top-rated places to stay near Burntside Lake

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

About the water

Burntside Lake grades A for nutrients and algae — Excellent. Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Water clarity is about 16 ft of visibility. Algae (chlorophyll-a) measures 2 µg/L. The letter is not a reason to skip cabins and rentals around the lake.

See the full Burntside Lake water-quality report →

Best time to visit

Open water runs roughly Apr 30 to Dec 2, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.

Check the National Weather Service forecast for Burntside Lake

About Burntside Lake

Surface area
7,314 acres
Max depth
126 ft
Public boat launches
2
Public beaches

Fish: black crappie, bluegill, burbot, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, lake trout, lake whitefish, northern pike.

Fishing & license

When to fish Burntside Lake — the seasonal windows by species, from state survey data.

Minnesota fishing license

$25 resident$51 non-resident

Anglers under 16 are not required to have a license. Residents age 90+ also exempt. · The Minnesota walleye, northern pike, and bass season opens the Saturday two days before Mother's Day. Most other species are open year-round.

Prices as published by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 2026.

Camping & RV near Burntside Lake

Base your trip at a nearby state park for tent and RV camping and trails, with Burntside Lake a short drive away — or search all public campgrounds and RV sites in the area on Recreation.gov.

  • Bear Head Lake State Park · State Park10 mi
  • Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park · State Park13.6 mi

Find campgrounds & RV sites on Recreation.gov →

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals around Burntside Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota are on the map above with live availability and nightly prices. Waterfront rentals put you on the dock; lodging in the nearest town is usually cheaper with more choice. Bear Head Lake State Park is about 10 miles away for campground options.

Burntside Lake has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Always check local health-department advisories before swimming.

Open water runs roughly Apr 30 to Dec 2, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.

Guide

LakeQuality Lake Trip Planner (2026)

Free trip-planning guide for Burntside Lake: how to pick a clean lake, the water-quality signals that matter, best swimming and fishing windows, and where to stay.

Lodging availability and prices are provided by Stay22 and its booking partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia); LakeQuality may earn a commission from bookings at no extra cost to you. Water-quality grades are independent of lodging listings. Always check current health-department advisories and managing-agency conditions before you travel.

Where to stay near Burntside Lake →