Big Lake
About Big Lake
Big Lake is a 1,904-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 22 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 9 feet, and has roughly 25.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.2 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, and burbot. 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 2019.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service. 5 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Big Lake
- 1,904 acres, up to 22 feet deep, near Ely
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the US Forest Service
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, and burbot
- Average water clarity around 7.2 feet
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,904 acres
- Max depth
- 22 ft
- Average depth
- 9 ft
- Shoreline
- 25.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 1,514 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 (concrete)
- 2 carry-in accesses
- Camping (5 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
- 8
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2019
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
5 campgrounds are mapped on or near Big 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 Big Lake
Compare Big Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Big Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Duck Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake119 acres
2.1 miles away
Agassa Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely72 acres
2.5 miles away
Ed Shave Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely90 acres
2.6 miles away
Big Rice Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake403 acres
2.9 miles away
Slim Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely312 acres
4.3 miles away
Big Moose Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely1,025 acres
4.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Big Lake?
Big Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 1,904 acres and reaches 22 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Big Lake?
Big Lake covers 1,904 acres with about 25.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 22 feet and its average depth is about 9 feet.
What fish can you catch at Big Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Burbot, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Big Lake?
Yes. Big Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the US Forest Service. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Big Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Big 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 Big Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Big Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Big Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.