US lakes & pondsUS lakes & pondsSurface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID {F579FBF5-C97A-4D38-8397-C17C7EA6AC0B}).
The red circle marks Sawbill Lake.
Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline.
Official Minnesota DNR pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.
Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.
Fish species found in Minnesota DNR lake surveys: Burbot, Cisco species, Northern pike, Rock bass, Smallmouth bass, Walleye, White sucker, Yellow perch.
Average depth not published.
Shallow (littoral) area: 445 of 834 acres
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources LakeFinder record for Sawbill Lake (DOW 16049600), with lake survey reports, depth maps and stocking history. Acreage here can differ slightly from our mapped outline.
Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.
Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID {F579FBF5-C97A-4D38-8397-C17C7EA6AC0B}), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: Minnesota DNR public water access sites (Minnesota Geospatial Commons). Dashed trails: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.
OpenStreetMap shows about 0.2 mi of public hiking and walking trail within about 100 m (330 ft) of the Sawbill Lake shoreline, mostly along the north, south and west shores.
The dashed brown line on the lake map shows these trails. We include paths, footways and marked trails that OpenStreetMap doesn't mark as private, and leave out roads, sidewalks and snowmobile corridors. Mapped trails can still cross private land or close for the season, and not every trail is mapped, so follow posted signs.
Trails: © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License (ODbL). Map data as of Oct 9, 2026. Trail lengths count only the parts within about 100 m of the USGS NHD lake outline.
We found 19 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Sawbill Lake, 2 of them within 5 miles. 1 is right on the shore. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.
RVs welcome · Dogs allowed
RVs welcome · Tent sites · Dogs allowed
All campgrounds & RV parks in Minnesota
Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.
Campground data: Recreation.gov (RIDB) · OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.
Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (47.8905, -90.8763). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Sawbill Lake. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.
Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in CT (America/Chicago), and accurate to within a few minutes.
1 public access site listed.
| Site | Town | Owner | Type | Parking | Fee | Uses | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sawbill Lake Public Water Access Site | Tofte | U.S. Forest Service | Carry-in (hand launch) | 100 car | — | Fishing, Boating Restroom | 47.8635, -90.8876 |
Minnesota DNR public water access sites (Minnesota Geospatial Commons)
Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.
Sawbill Lake covers about 834 acres in Tofte, Minnesota (Cook County).
The maximum recorded depth is 45 feet, according to the Minnesota DNR LakeFinder.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lists Walleye, Northern pike, Smallmouth bass, Yellow perch, Rock bass, Burbot, Cisco species and White sucker.
No trailer ramp is listed, but there is 1 public access site for car-top boats or shore access.
Yes. We list 19 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles, 2 of them within 5 miles.
Sawbill Lake touches Tofte in Cook County, Minnesota.
Know Sawbill Lake? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).
Straight-line distance between lake centers. All Minnesota lakes & ponds · All waters in Tofte