---
type: lake
name: "Knife Lake"
county: "Lake"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 4919
max_depth_ft: 179
latitude: 48.10348
longitude: -91.24345
lake_score: 70
dnr_lake_id: "38040400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/knife-lake
---

# Knife Lake

Lake in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 4,919 acres
- **Max Depth**: 179 ft
- **Average Depth**: 65 ft
- **Shoreline**: 99.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 19.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 70/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with Canada

## About

Knife Lake is a 4,919-acre lake near Ely in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 179 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 65 feet, and has roughly 99.2 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 3 among the 161 Lake County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 19.5 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, bluegill, lake trout, and burbot. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

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**: Permit or fee required

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 9
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Lake Trout, Burbot, Lake Whitefish, Rock Bass, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Bonnie Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/bonnie-lake) - 1.8 miles, 105 acres
- [Spoon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/spoon-lake) - 2.5 miles, 256 acres
- [Kekekabic Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/kekekabic-lake) - 4.1 miles, 1,689 acres
- [Vera Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/vera-lake) - 4.6 miles, 250 acres
- [Little Knife Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/little-knife-lake) - 4.6 miles, 700 acres
- [Amoeber Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/amoeber-lake) - 4.7 miles, 410 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.10348,-91.24345)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=38040400)
- [All lakes in Lake County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county)

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