First Lake - Cloquet

Carlton County, Minnesota

First Lake is in Cloquet, Minnesota, under 30 miles from Duluth.

The Duluth International Airport is around 25 miles away, and the Community Memorial Hospital Emergency Room is under five miles away.

On the Water

First Lake covers a relatively small distance but still offers plenty of recreation and relaxation.

Popular activities include boating, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, and taking in the views. With no public access points, residents can enjoy a private paradise!

Anglers can mostly find smallmouth bass, rock bass, and channel catfish, but northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, bluegill, and black bullhead have been reported here.

Around the Area

Jay Cooke State Park has plenty of activities to excite and thrill. It is in the top 10 most visited state parks in Minnesota and is less than a 20-minute drive from the lake.

The park offers the chance to peer down the 13-mile gorge, hike the historic Grand Portage Trail of the St.Louis River, or visit the Thomson Pioneer Cemetery that dates back to the 1800s.

For the thrill-seekers, the park offers 50 miles of hiking trails, eight miles of biking trails, six miles of horseback riding trails, 34 miles of cross-country skiing, and eight miles of snowmobile trails.

Visit Duluth

Duluth is the perfect spot for a weekend city getaway while still offering beautiful, natural scenery.

For an outdoor adventure off the water, visit any of the city's 23 parks. The Leif Erickson Park is one of the most popular ones and features a rose garden with 1,800 bushes. It is widely considered one of the best rose gardens in the state.

Lake Superior Zoo offers a fun, family-friendly trip to see over 140 species in indoor and outdoor settings. The zoo also has a cafe, a gift shop, interactive visits, and behind-the-scenes tours.

Looking to take a scenic drive? The North Shore Scenic Drive spans around 150 miles, following the shoreline of Lake Superior. It offers great photo opportunities, historic landmarks, and quaint shops along the way.

When visitors head back to the city and are looking for a place to eat, there's something to satisfy every craving. Highly-rated options include Duluth Grill, OMC Smokehouse, Va Bene, New Scenic Cafe, and Vitta Pizza.

A Place to Call Home

First Lake has a little bit of everything and can accommodate people of all ages. The area harbors a relaxing lake atmosphere without taking away any conveniences or luxuries.