Triangle Lake
About Triangle Lake
Triangle Lake is a 300-acre lake near Ely in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 43 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 15 feet, and has roughly 10.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.8 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch. 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 2020.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 2 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Triangle Lake
- 300 acres, up to 43 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, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 12.8 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
- 300 acres
- Max depth
- 43 ft
- Average depth
- 15 ft
- Shoreline
- 10.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 12.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 160 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 (2 mapped)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 10
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2020
- 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
2 campgrounds are mapped on or near Triangle 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 Triangle Lake
Compare Triangle Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Triangle Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Ojibway Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely367 acres
0.9 miles away
Jasper Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage175 acres
2.1 miles away
Tofte Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely134 acres
2.3 miles away
Greenstone Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely332 acres
2.8 miles away
One Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely846 acres
3.3 miles away
Wood Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage617 acres
3.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Triangle Lake?
Triangle Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 300 acres and reaches 43 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Triangle Lake?
Triangle Lake covers 300 acres with about 10.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 43 feet and its average depth is about 15 feet.
What fish can you catch at Triangle Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Triangle Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Triangle Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Triangle 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 Triangle Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Triangle Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Triangle Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.