---
type: lake
name: "Crab Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 420
max_depth_ft: 57
latitude: 47.94454
longitude: -92.05749
lake_score: 37
dnr_lake_id: "69022000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/crab-lake
---

# Crab Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 420 acres
- **Max Depth**: 57 ft
- **Shoreline**: 10.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 7.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 37/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Crab Lake is a 420-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 57 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 10.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.4 feet.

The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.

Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 11 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Activities

Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Campground

## Fish Species

No DNR fish survey on file

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lunetta Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/lunetta-lake) - 2 miles, 100 acres
- [Burntside Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/burntside-lake) - 3.9 miles, 7,314 acres
- [Coxey Pond](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/coxey-pond) - 4 miles, 192 acres
- [Cummings Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/cummings-lake) - 4.2 miles, 1,038 acres
- [Wolf Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/wolf-lake-ely) - 4.5 miles, 289 acres
- [Mud Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/mud-lake) - 4.8 miles, 176 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.94454,-92.05749)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69022000)
- [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/crab-lake)*