Parent Lake
About Parent Lake
Parent Lake is a 451-acre lake near Ely in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 50 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.2 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, tullibee (cisco), and rock bass. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. 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. 6 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Parent Lake
- 451 acres, up to 50 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, yellow perch, tullibee (cisco), and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 12.2 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 451 acres
- Max depth
- 50 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 12.2 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
Facilities
- 2 carry-in accesses
- Camping (6 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
- 7
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- Yes
- 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 Parent 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 Parent Lake
Compare Parent Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Parent Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
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Four Lake
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Two Lake
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Parent Lake?
Parent Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 451 acres and reaches 50 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Parent Lake?
Parent Lake covers 451 acres with about 4.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 50 feet.
What fish can you catch at Parent Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Parent Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Parent Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Parent 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 Parent Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Parent Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Parent Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.