Ensign Lake
About Ensign Lake
Ensign Lake is a 1,411-acre lake near Ely in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 30 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 27.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.5 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 31 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Ensign Lake
- 1,411 acres, up to 30 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, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 9.5 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
- 1,411 acres
- Max depth
- 30 ft
- Shoreline
- 27.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 675 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
- 1 carry-in access
- Camping (31 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 8
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- 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
31 campgrounds are mapped on or near Ensign 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 Ensign Lake
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Nearby Lakes
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1.7 miles away
Ashigan Lake
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Birch Lake
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Vera Lake
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Jordan Lake
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Sucker Lake
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3.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ensign Lake?
Ensign Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 1,411 acres and reaches 30 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Ensign Lake?
Ensign Lake covers 1,411 acres with about 27.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 30 feet.
What fish can you catch at Ensign Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Ensign Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Ensign Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Ensign 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 Ensign Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Ensign Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Ensign Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.