---
type: lake
name: "Elm Island Lake"
county: "Aitkin"
nearest_town: "Aitkin"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 520
max_depth_ft: 25
latitude: 46.45842
longitude: -93.62741
lake_score: 55
dnr_lake_id: "01012300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/elm-island-lake
---

# Elm Island Lake

Lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Aitkin

- **Surface Area**: 520 acres
- **Max Depth**: 25 ft
- **Average Depth**: 9 ft
- **Shoreline**: 7.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 55/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Elm Island Lake is a 520-acre lake near Aitkin in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 25 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 9 feet, and has roughly 7.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the county. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 17 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Managed by**: county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 16
- **Years of record**: 17
- **Earliest**: 2016-03-30
- **Latest**: 2018-05-03

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lone Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/lone-lake) - 1.8 miles, 433 acres
- [Ripple Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/ripple-lake) - 2.1 miles, 630 acres
- [Section Ten Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/section-ten-lake) - 2.2 miles, 436 acres
- [Four Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/four-lake) - 2.6 miles, 137 acres
- [Nord Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/nord-lake) - 2.6 miles, 418 acres
- [Section Twelve Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/section-twelve-lake) - 2.6 miles, 170 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.45842,-93.62741)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=01012300)
- [All lakes in Aitkin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/elm-island-lake)*