Ima Lake
About Ima Lake
Ima Lake is a 742-acre lake near Ely in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 116 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 14.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.7 feet.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
Public access is carry-in only — 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 Ima Lake
- 742 acres, up to 116 feet deep, near Ely
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 8.7 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
- 742 acres
- Max depth
- 116 ft
- Shoreline
- 14.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 8.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 210 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
- 3 carry-in accesses
- Camping (3 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
3 campgrounds are mapped on or near Ima 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 Ima Lake
Compare Ima Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Hatchet Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage127 acres
1.1 miles away
Alworth Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage200 acres
1.1 miles away
Jordan Lake
38 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage142 acres
1.5 miles away
Ashigan Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage153 acres
2.5 miles away
Thomas Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage1,465 acres
2.7 miles away
Vera Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely250 acres
3.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ima Lake?
Ima Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 742 acres and reaches 116 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Ima Lake?
Ima Lake covers 742 acres with about 14.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 116 feet.
What fish can you catch at Ima Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Ima Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Ima Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Ima Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Ima 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.
Can you camp at Ima Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.