Clear Lake
About Clear Lake
Clear Lake is a 248-acre lake near Ely in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 17 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.5 feet. Access is by portage through Superior National Forest; most lakes reached this way lie in or beside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where an entry permit is required.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. 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 2018.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 5 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Clear Lake
- 248 acres, up to 17 feet deep, near Ely
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 5.5 feet
- Camping close to the water
- Boundary Waters country: entry permit required, no cans or glass bottles, and motors are restricted on most lakes
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Portage access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 248 acres
- Max depth
- 17 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 5.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 235 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
- A BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
Facilities
- 3 portage accesses
- Camping (5 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- 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
- 7
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2018
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
5 campgrounds are mapped on or near Clear Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Clear Lake
Compare Clear Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Clear Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Pickerel Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely182 acres
2 miles away
Greenstone Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely332 acres
2.3 miles away
South Farm Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely564 acres
2.8 miles away
Little Gabbro Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Rapids148 acres
3.1 miles away
Gabbro Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Rapids977 acres
3.7 miles away
Farm Lake
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely1,292 acres
4.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Clear Lake?
Clear Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 248 acres and reaches 17 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Clear Lake?
Clear Lake covers 248 acres with about 6.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 17 feet.
What fish can you catch at Clear Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Clear Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Clear Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Clear 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 Clear Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Clear Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Clear Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.