Disappointment Lake
About Disappointment Lake
Disappointment Lake is an 894-acre lake near Ely in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 54 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 20.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.4 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 6 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, tullibee (cisco), and rock bass. 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. 16 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Disappointment Lake
- 894 acres, up to 54 feet deep, near Ely
- Carry-in 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, tullibee (cisco), and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 10.4 feet
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 894 acres
- Max depth
- 54 ft
- Shoreline
- 20.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 10.4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 355 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
Facilities
- 3 carry-in accesses
- Camping (16 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 6
- Game fish
- 5
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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
16 campgrounds are mapped on or near Disappointment 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 Disappointment Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Boot Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage197 acres
2 miles away
Parent Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely451 acres
2.2 miles away
Snowbank Lake
79 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely4,655 acres
2.7 miles away
Jordan Lake
38 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage142 acres
3.1 miles away
Ashigan Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage153 acres
3.2 miles away
Ensign Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely1,411 acres
3.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Disappointment Lake?
Disappointment Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 894 acres and reaches 54 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Disappointment Lake?
Disappointment Lake covers 894 acres with about 20.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 54 feet.
What fish can you catch at Disappointment Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Disappointment Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Disappointment Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Disappointment 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 Disappointment Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Disappointment Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Disappointment Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.