Crooked Lake
About Crooked Lake
Crooked Lake is a 10,360-acre lake near Ely in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 165 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 37 feet, and has roughly 231.7 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 161 Lake County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.2 feet. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side. 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.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 51 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.
Plan Your Visit to Crooked Lake
- 10,360 acres, up to 165 feet deep, near Ely
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 9.2 feet
- Camping close to the water
- Boundary Waters country: entry permit required, no cans or glass bottles, and motors are restricted on most lakes
- Border water with Canada — know which side of the line you are fishing on
- Listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry before you leave
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
- 10,360 acres
- Max depth
- 165 ft
- Average depth
- 37 ft
- Shoreline
- 231.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 1,898 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
- Border-water seasons and limits with Canada differ from Minnesota inland rules
Facilities
- 1 portage access
- Camping (51 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Big water: wind builds dangerous waves quickly, so check the forecast and carry safety gear
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
51 campgrounds are mapped on or near Crooked 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 Crooked Lake
Compare Crooked Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Gun Lake
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Gull Lake
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Fairy Lake
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Crooked Lake?
Crooked Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 10,360 acres and reaches 165 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Crooked Lake?
Crooked Lake covers 10,360 acres with about 231.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 165 feet and its average depth is about 37 feet.
What fish can you catch at Crooked Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Crooked Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Crooked Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Crooked Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Crooked 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.
Can you camp at Crooked Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Crooked Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Crooked Lake as infested with spiny waterflea. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.