---
type: lake
name: "Ensign Lake"
county: "Lake"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1411
max_depth_ft: 30
latitude: 48.03827
longitude: -91.35939
lake_score: 57
dnr_lake_id: "38049800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/ensign-lake
---

# Ensign Lake

Lake in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 1,411 acres
- **Max Depth**: 30 ft
- **Shoreline**: 27.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 9.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 57/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## 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**: 8
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Boot Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/boot-lake) - 1.7 miles, 197 acres
- [Ashigan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/ashigan-lake) - 1.7 miles, 153 acres
- [Birch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/birch-lake) - 2.2 miles, 836 acres
- [Vera Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/vera-lake) - 2.5 miles, 250 acres
- [Jordan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/jordan-lake) - 3.2 miles, 142 acres
- [Sucker Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/sucker-lake) - 3.4 miles, 393 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.03827,-91.35939)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=38049800)
- [All lakes in Lake County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county)

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