Elk Lake
About Elk Lake
Elk Lake is a 303-acre lake near Lake Itasca in Clearwater County, Minnesota. It reaches 93 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 32 feet, and has roughly 3.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.6 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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 (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 20, based on 28 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Elk Lake
- 303 acres, up to 93 feet deep, near Lake Itasca
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 10.6 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 303 acres
- Max depth
- 93 ft
- Average depth
- 32 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 10.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 73 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 15
- Game fish
- 10
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 20
- Years of record
- 28
- Earliest
- March 26, 2012
- Latest
- May 14, 2013
- Most recent
- April 22, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Elk Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Lake Itasca
75 out of 100 Lake ScoreClearwater · Lake Itasca1,065 acres
2.1 miles away
Lake Mary
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Lake Itasca56 acres
2.4 miles away
Hernando DeSoto Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Goldenrod171 acres
3 miles away
Ozawindib Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreClearwater · Lake Itasca159 acres
3.7 miles away
Beauty Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids55 acres
4.8 miles away
Little Mantrap Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids381 acres
5.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Elk Lake?
Elk Lake is in Clearwater County, Minnesota, near Lake Itasca. It covers 303 acres and reaches 93 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Elk Lake?
Elk Lake covers 303 acres with about 3.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 93 feet and its average depth is about 32 feet.
What fish can you catch at Elk Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Tullibee (Cisco) and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Elk Lake?
Yes. Elk Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Elk Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Elk Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Elk Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Elk Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Elk Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 20, from 28 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 26, 2012 and the latest is May 14, 2013.