Little Elbow Lake
About Little Elbow Lake
Little Elbow Lake is a 168-acre lake near Elbow Lake Village in Mahnomen County, Minnesota. It reaches 18 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.9 miles of shoreline.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
There is one public boat launch. Little Elbow Lake Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Little Elbow Lake
- 168 acres, up to 18 feet deep, near Elbow Lake Village
- 1 public boat launch
- Camping close to the water at Little Elbow Lake Campground
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 168 acres
- Max depth
- 18 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.9 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 119 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
- 1 public boat launch
- Camping: Little Elbow Lake Campground
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
Little Elbow Lake Campground is mapped on or near Little Elbow 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 Little Elbow Lake
Compare Little Elbow Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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South Twin Lake
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McCraney Lake
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Elbow Lake
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Elbow Lake?
Little Elbow Lake is in Mahnomen County, Minnesota, near Elbow Lake Village. It covers 168 acres and reaches 18 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Elbow Lake?
Little Elbow Lake covers 168 acres with about 3.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 18 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Elbow Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Little Elbow Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Elbow Lake?
Yes. Little Elbow Lake has 1 public boat launch. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Little Elbow Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Elbow 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 Little Elbow Lake?
Yes. Little Elbow Lake Campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.