About Grindstone Lake

Grindstone lake is one of the more unusual lakes in Minnesota. It is a long, narrow, incredibly deep, and one of the few spring-fed lakes in the lower half of the state. It has several deep holes that exceed 100 feet; the deepest is 153 feet. At 528 acres, this large freshwater lake is oval-shaped, being approximately 2 miles in length north to south and 0.5 miles east to west.

Grindstone Lake is considered the headwater of the Grindstone River. Considered an oligotrophic lake, Grindstone has enough oxygen in its deep cold waters to support coldwater species such as trout as well as cool and warm water species such as bass, panfish, and northern pike. There is a public access located on an inlet on the north side of the lake. Grindstone Lake is a popular resort area drawing cabin owners and visitors from the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. It also features a seaplane base, a religious summer camp, and a nature education center.

The lake's name is a translation from the Ojibwe zhiigwanaabikokaa-zaaga'igan (Lake abundant with grind stones). Sandstone taken from near the lake was used to make sharpening stones. The lake, North Fork Grindstone River and the lower course of the Grindstone River are depicted on the 1757 Mitchell Map.