---
type: lake
name: "Insula Lake"
county: "Lake"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 2840
max_depth_ft: 63
latitude: 47.91604
longitude: -91.28963
lake_score: 48
dnr_lake_id: "38039700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/insula-lake
---

# Insula Lake

Lake in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 2,840 acres
- **Max Depth**: 63 ft
- **Shoreline**: 75 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 48/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Insula Lake is a 2,840-acre lake near Ely in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 63 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 75 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 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. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. 41 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

## Activities

Paddling, Swimming, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Swim Beach, Campground

## Fish Species

No DNR fish survey on file

## Nearby Lakes

- [Carol Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/carol-lake) - 2.5 miles, 105 acres
- [Fishdance Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/fishdance-lake) - 3.6 miles, 162 acres
- [Alice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/alice-lake) - 4 miles, 1,469 acres
- [North Wilder Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/north-wilder-lake) - 5.4 miles, 100 acres
- [Four Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/four-lake) - 5.4 miles, 611 acres
- [Amber Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/amber-lake) - 5.6 miles, 121 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.91604,-91.28963)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=38039700)
- [All lakes in Lake County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county)

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