Ella Hall Lake
About Ella Hall Lake
Ella Hall Lake is a 379-acre lake near Silver Rapids in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 28 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8 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 9 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2017.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 3 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Ella Hall Lake
- 379 acres, up to 28 feet deep, near Silver Rapids
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 8 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
- 379 acres
- Max depth
- 28 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 130 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
- 2 portage accesses
- Camping (3 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 9
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2017
- 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
3 campgrounds are mapped on or near Ella Hall 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 Ella Hall Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Mud Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Rapids182 acres
1.3 miles away
Muskeg Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Rapids194 acres
1.3 miles away
Good Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage175 acres
2.1 miles away
Hula Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage131 acres
2.7 miles away
Indiana Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage143 acres
3.1 miles away
Wood Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage617 acres
3.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ella Hall Lake?
Ella Hall Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Silver Rapids. It covers 379 acres and reaches 28 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Ella Hall Lake?
Ella Hall Lake covers 379 acres with about 6.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 28 feet.
What fish can you catch at Ella Hall Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Ella Hall Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Ella Hall Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Ella Hall 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 Ella Hall Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Ella Hall Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Ella Hall Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.