---
type: lake
name: "Little Knife Lake"
county: "Lake"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 700
max_depth_ft: 184
latitude: 48.1369
longitude: -91.1574
lake_score: 66
dnr_lake_id: "38022900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/little-knife-lake
---

# Little Knife Lake

Lake in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 700 acres
- **Max Depth**: 184 ft
- **Shoreline**: 15.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 20 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 66/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with Canada

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service, Minnesota DNR
- **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, Lake Trout, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Lake Whitefish, Rock Bass, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Amoeber Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/amoeber-lake) - 1 miles, 410 acres
- [Topaz Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/topaz-lake) - 1.6 miles, 150 acres
- [Gijikiki Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/gijikiki-lake) - 2.2 miles, 113 acres
- [Cherry Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/cherry-lake) - 2.5 miles, 153 acres
- [Eddy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/eddy-lake) - 3.5 miles, 122 acres
- [Hanson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/hanson-lake) - 3.5 miles, 289 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.1369,-91.1574)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=38022900)
- [All lakes in Lake County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county)

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