---
type: lake
name: "Big Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1904
max_depth_ft: 22
latitude: 48.0697
longitude: -91.99727
lake_score: 64
dnr_lake_id: "69019000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/big-lake
---

# Big Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 1,904 acres
- **Max Depth**: 22 ft
- **Average Depth**: 9 ft
- **Shoreline**: 25.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 7.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 64/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 8
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2019
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Carry-In Access, Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Rock Bass, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Duck Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/duck-lake) - 2.1 miles, 119 acres
- [Agassa Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/agassa-lake) - 2.5 miles, 72 acres
- [Ed Shave Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/ed-shave-lake) - 2.6 miles, 90 acres
- [Big Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/big-rice-lake-burntside-lake) - 2.9 miles, 403 acres
- [Slim Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/slim-lake) - 4.3 miles, 312 acres
- [Big Moose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/big-moose-lake) - 4.4 miles, 1,025 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.0697,-91.99727)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69019000)
- [All lakes in St. Louis County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/big-lake)*