---
type: lake
name: "Crooked Lake"
county: "Lake"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 10360
max_depth_ft: 165
latitude: 48.18207
longitude: -91.79924
lake_score: 46
dnr_lake_id: "38081700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/crooked-lake
---

# Crooked Lake

Lake in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 10,360 acres
- **Max Depth**: 165 ft
- **Average Depth**: 37 ft
- **Shoreline**: 231.7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 9.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Portage access only
- **Lake Score**: 46/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with Canada

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Portage access only
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses
- **Wilderness permit**: BWCAW entry permit required

## Activities

Paddling, Canoe Tripping, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Campground

## Fish Species

No DNR fish survey on file

## Invasive Species

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

## Nearby Lakes

- [Sinneeg Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/sinneeg-lake) - 3.8 miles, 160 acres
- [Moosecamp Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/moosecamp-lake) - 4.3 miles, 171 acres
- [Bear Trap Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/bear-trap-lake) - 4.4 miles, 121 acres
- [Gun Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/gun-lake) - 4.5 miles, 341 acres
- [Gull Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/gull-lake) - 4.8 miles, 171 acres
- [Fairy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/fairy-lake) - 5.6 miles, 109 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.18207,-91.79924)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=38081700)
- [All lakes in Lake County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county)

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