Garden Lake
About Garden Lake
Garden Lake is a 653-acre lake near Ely in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 55 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 17.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.5 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to walleye, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.
There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Cliff Wold's Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 25, based on 19 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Garden Lake
- 653 acres, up to 55 feet deep, near Ely
- 2 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 5.5 feet
- Camping close to the water at Cliff Wold's Campground
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 653 acres
- Max depth
- 55 ft
- Shoreline
- 17.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 5.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 239 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
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping: Cliff Wold's Campground
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- 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
- 11
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Walleye: All from 17-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 25
- Years of record
- 19
- Earliest
- April 11, 2017
- Latest
- May 7, 2018
- Most recent
- April 28, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Cliff Wold's Campground is mapped on or near Garden 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 Garden Lake
Compare Garden Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Garden Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Garden Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Garden Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Garden Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Garden Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Fall Lake
67 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Winton2,258 acres
1.8 miles away
Farm Lake
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely1,292 acres
1.8 miles away
Stub Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Rapids89 acres
2.5 miles away
Browns Lake
21 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely219 acres
2.6 miles away
Cedar Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely465 acres
3.1 miles away
South Farm Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely564 acres
3.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Garden Lake?
Garden Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 653 acres and reaches 55 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Garden Lake?
Garden Lake covers 653 acres with about 17.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 55 feet.
What fish can you catch at Garden Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Garden Lake?
Yes. Garden Lake has 2 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Garden Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Garden 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 Garden Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Garden Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Garden Lake?
Yes. All from 17-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.
When does the ice go out on Garden Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 25, from 19 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 11, 2017 and the latest is May 7, 2018.
Can you camp at Garden Lake?
Yes. Cliff Wold's Campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.