Bass Lake
About Bass Lake
Bass Lake is a 169-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 36 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 16 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.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 3 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Bass Lake
- 169 acres, up to 36 feet deep, near Ely
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 16 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
- 169 acres
- Max depth
- 36 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 16 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 71 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
- 4 portage accesses
- Camping (3 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 9
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- 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
3 campgrounds are mapped on or near Bass 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 Bass Lake
Compare Bass Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Bass Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Bass Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Bass Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Bass Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Hobo Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely74 acres
1.2 miles away
High Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely274 acres
1.3 miles away
Low Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely316 acres
1.9 miles away
Little Long Lake
65 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely322 acres
2.4 miles away
Grassy Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely257 acres
2.8 miles away
Cedar Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely465 acres
2.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bass Lake?
Bass Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 169 acres and reaches 36 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Bass Lake?
Bass Lake covers 169 acres with about 3.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 36 feet.
What fish can you catch at Bass Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Bass Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Bass Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Bass 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 Bass Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Bass Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Bass Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.