Little Knife Lake
About Little Knife Lake
Little Knife Lake is a 700-acre lake near Ely in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 184 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 15.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 20 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, lake trout, burbot, and tullibee (cisco). 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. 7 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Little Knife Lake
- 700 acres, up to 184 feet deep, near Ely
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, lake trout, burbot, and tullibee (cisco)
- Average water clarity around 20 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
- Border water with Canada — know which side of the line you are fishing on
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service, Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 700 acres
- Max depth
- 184 ft
- Shoreline
- 15.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 20 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 91 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
- A trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
- Border-water seasons and limits with Canada differ from Minnesota inland rules
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 2 carry-in accesses
- Camping (7 mapped)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- 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
- 9
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
7 campgrounds are mapped on or near Little Knife 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 Little Knife Lake
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Knife Lake?
Little Knife Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 700 acres and reaches 184 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Knife Lake?
Little Knife Lake covers 700 acres with about 15.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 184 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Knife Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Lake Trout, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Lake Whitefish, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Knife Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Little Knife Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Knife 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 Little Knife Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Little Knife Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Little Knife Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.