---
type: lake
name: "Garden Lake"
county: "Lake"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 653
max_depth_ft: 55
latitude: 47.923
longitude: -91.74718
lake_score: 63
dnr_lake_id: "38078200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/garden-lake
---

# Garden Lake

Lake in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 653 acres
- **Max Depth**: 55 ft
- **Shoreline**: 17.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 63/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 11
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Walleye**: All from 17-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Cliff Wold's Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 25
- **Years of record**: 19
- **Earliest**: 2017-04-11
- **Latest**: 2018-05-07

## Nearby Lakes

- [Fall Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/fall-lake) - 1.8 miles, 2,258 acres
- [Farm Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/farm-lake) - 1.8 miles, 1,292 acres
- [Stub Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/stub-lake) - 2.5 miles, 89 acres
- [Browns Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/browns-lake) - 2.6 miles, 219 acres
- [Cedar Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/cedar-lake) - 3.1 miles, 465 acres
- [South Farm Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/south-farm-lake) - 3.4 miles, 564 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.923,-91.74718)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=38078200)
- [All lakes in Lake County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county)

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