Vera Lake
About Vera Lake
Vera Lake is a 250-acre lake near Ely in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 55 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 16.7 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota. 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.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 7 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Vera Lake
- 250 acres, up to 55 feet deep, near Ely
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 16.7 feet — very clear
- 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
- 250 acres
- Max depth
- 55 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 16.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 86 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
- 3 portage accesses
- Camping (7 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
7 campgrounds are mapped on or near Vera 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 Vera Lake
Compare Vera Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
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2.2 miles away
Ensign Lake
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Ima Lake
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Jordan Lake
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Birch Lake
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Boot Lake
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3.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Vera Lake?
Vera Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 250 acres and reaches 55 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Vera Lake?
Vera Lake covers 250 acres with about 6.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 55 feet.
What fish can you catch at Vera Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Vera Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Vera Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Vera Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Vera 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.
Can you camp at Vera Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.