Big Moose Lake
About Big Moose Lake
Big Moose Lake is a 1,025-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 23 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 9.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.7 feet. 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 5 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and rock bass. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 5 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Big Moose Lake
- 1,025 acres, up to 23 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: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 7.7 feet
- 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
- 1,025 acres
- Max depth
- 23 ft
- Shoreline
- 9.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 1,012 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 (5 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
- 5
- Game fish
- 4
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- 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
5 campgrounds are mapped on or near Big Moose 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 Moose Lake
Compare Big Moose Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Big Moose Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Big Moose Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Big Moose Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Big Moose Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Duck Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake119 acres
2.5 miles away
Big Rice Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake403 acres
2.8 miles away
Niswi Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake105 acres
2.9 miles away
Cummings Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake1,038 acres
3.8 miles away
Coxey Pond
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake192 acres
4.2 miles away
Big Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely1,904 acres
4.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Big Moose Lake?
Big Moose Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 1,025 acres and reaches 23 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Big Moose Lake?
Big Moose Lake covers 1,025 acres with about 9.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 23 feet.
What fish can you catch at Big Moose Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Big Moose Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Big Moose Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Big Moose 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 Moose Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Big Moose Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Big Moose Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.