---
type: lake
name: "Parent Lake"
county: "Lake"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 451
max_depth_ft: 50
latitude: 47.96409
longitude: -91.396
lake_score: 61
dnr_lake_id: "38052600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/parent-lake
---

# Parent Lake

Lake in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 451 acres
- **Max Depth**: 50 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 61/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 7
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **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, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Snowbank Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/snowbank-lake) - 1.8 miles, 4,655 acres
- [Disappointment Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/disappointment-lake) - 2.2 miles, 894 acres
- [Boot Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/boot-lake) - 3.8 miles, 197 acres
- [Four Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/four-lake) - 4.1 miles, 611 acres
- [Two Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/two-lake) - 4.7 miles, 516 acres
- [One Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/one-lake) - 4.7 miles, 846 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.96409,-91.396)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=38052600)
- [All lakes in Lake County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county)

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