---
type: lake
name: "Disappointment Lake"
county: "Lake"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 894
max_depth_ft: 54
latitude: 47.98445
longitude: -91.36047
lake_score: 56
dnr_lake_id: "38048800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/disappointment-lake
---

# Disappointment Lake

Lake in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 894 acres
- **Max Depth**: 54 ft
- **Shoreline**: 20.4 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 10.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 56/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## 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**: 6
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Boot Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/boot-lake) - 2 miles, 197 acres
- [Parent Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/parent-lake) - 2.2 miles, 451 acres
- [Snowbank Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/snowbank-lake) - 2.7 miles, 4,655 acres
- [Jordan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/jordan-lake) - 3.1 miles, 142 acres
- [Ashigan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/ashigan-lake) - 3.2 miles, 153 acres
- [Ensign Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/ensign-lake) - 3.7 miles, 1,411 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.98445,-91.36047)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=38048800)
- [All lakes in Lake County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county)

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