---
type: lake
name: "Elk Lake"
county: "Clearwater"
nearest_town: "Lake Itasca"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 303
max_depth_ft: 93
latitude: 47.1892
longitude: -95.21874
lake_score: 64
dnr_lake_id: "15001000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/clearwater-county/elk-lake
---

# Elk Lake

Lake in Clearwater County, Minnesota, near Lake Itasca

- **Surface Area**: 303 acres
- **Max Depth**: 93 ft
- **Average Depth**: 32 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 10.6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 64/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Permit or fee required

## 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, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 20
- **Years of record**: 28
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-26
- **Latest**: 2013-05-14

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lake Itasca](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/clearwater-county/lake-itasca) - 2.1 miles, 1,065 acres
- [Lake Mary](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hubbard-county/lake-mary) - 2.4 miles, 56 acres
- [Hernando DeSoto Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/hernando-desoto-lake) - 3 miles, 171 acres
- [Ozawindib Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/clearwater-county/ozawindib-lake) - 3.7 miles, 159 acres
- [Beauty Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hubbard-county/beauty-lake) - 4.8 miles, 55 acres
- [Little Mantrap Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hubbard-county/little-mantrap-lake) - 5.7 miles, 381 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.1892,-95.21874)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=15001000)
- [All lakes in Clearwater County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/clearwater-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/clearwater-county/elk-lake)*