One Lake
About One Lake
One Lake is an 846-acre lake near Ely in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 57 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 31.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7 feet. Access is by portage through Superior National Forest; most lakes reached this way lie in or beside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where an entry permit is required.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 6 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, bluegill, lake whitefish, and rock bass. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 6 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to One Lake
- 846 acres, up to 57 feet deep, near Ely
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, bluegill, lake whitefish, and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 7 feet
- Camping close to the water
- Boundary Waters country: entry permit required, no cans or glass bottles, and motors are restricted on most lakes
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Portage access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 846 acres
- Max depth
- 57 ft
- Shoreline
- 31.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 449 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 BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- 3 portage accesses
- Camping (6 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 6
- Game fish
- 5
- 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
6 campgrounds are mapped on or near One 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 One Lake
Compare One Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how One Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how One Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how One Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how One Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Two Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely516 acres
1.4 miles away
Three Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Forest Center904 acres
3.1 miles away
Ojibway Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely367 acres
3.2 miles away
Triangle Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely300 acres
3.3 miles away
Four Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Forest Center611 acres
3.8 miles away
Clearwater Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Rapids640 acres
4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is One Lake?
One Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 846 acres and reaches 57 feet deep.
How big and how deep is One Lake?
One Lake covers 846 acres with about 31.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 57 feet.
What fish can you catch at One Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Lake Whitefish, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on One Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at One Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at One 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 One Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for One Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at One Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.