---
type: lake
name: "Basswood Lake"
county: "Lake"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 25953
max_depth_ft: 111
latitude: 48.05554
longitude: -91.60309
lake_score: 76
dnr_lake_id: "38064500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/basswood-lake
---

# Basswood Lake

Lake in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 25,953 acres
- **Max Depth**: 111 ft
- **Shoreline**: 332.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 10.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 76/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with Canada

## About

Basswood Lake is a 25,953-acre lake near Ely in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 111 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 332.6 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Lake County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.7 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. Special fishing regulations apply to northern pike and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. 125 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 14
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Northern Pike**: All from 30-40" must be immediately released. Possession limit two, only one over 40". Season is continuous.
- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling, Swimming, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Swim Beach, Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Lake Whitefish, Rock Bass, Northern Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

spiny waterflea. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [Indiana Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/indiana-lake) - 2.9 miles, 143 acres
- [Good Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/good-lake) - 3.5 miles, 175 acres
- [Hula Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/hula-lake) - 3.9 miles, 131 acres
- [Wind Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/wind-lake) - 4.3 miles, 926 acres
- [Ella Hall Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/ella-hall-lake) - 5.1 miles, 379 acres
- [Wood Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/wood-lake) - 5.2 miles, 617 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.05554,-91.60309)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=38064500)
- [All lakes in Lake County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county)

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