Newton Lake
About Newton Lake
Newton Lake is a 516-acre lake near Ely in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 47 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 12.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, and rock bass. 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. 10 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.
Plan Your Visit to Newton Lake
- 516 acres, up to 47 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, black crappie, yellow perch, and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 5 feet
- Camping close to the water
- Listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 516 acres
- Max depth
- 47 ft
- Shoreline
- 12.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 358 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
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 2 carry-in accesses
- Camping (10 mapped)
Best For
- 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
- 8
- Game fish
- 6
- 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
10 campgrounds are mapped on or near Newton 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 Newton Lake
Compare Newton Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Newton Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Newton Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Newton Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Newton Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Muskeg Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Rapids194 acres
2 miles away
Mud Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Rapids182 acres
2.4 miles away
Browns Lake
21 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely219 acres
2.5 miles away
Fall Lake
67 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Winton2,258 acres
2.7 miles away
Stub Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Rapids89 acres
2.8 miles away
Ella Hall Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Rapids379 acres
3.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Newton Lake?
Newton Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 516 acres and reaches 47 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Newton Lake?
Newton Lake covers 516 acres with about 12.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 47 feet.
What fish can you catch at Newton Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Newton Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Newton Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Newton 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 Newton Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Newton Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Newton Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Newton Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Newton Lake as infested with spiny waterflea. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.