Elephant Lake
About Elephant Lake
Elephant Lake is a 728-acre lake near Ash Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 30 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.2 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 28, based on 22 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Elephant Lake
- 728 acres, up to 30 feet deep, near Ash Lake
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 9.2 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 728 acres
- Max depth
- 30 ft
- Shoreline
- 9 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 331 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)
- 1 carry-in access
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 9
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Sunfish: Daily limit 10.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 28
- Years of record
- 22
- Earliest
- March 26, 2012
- Latest
- May 14, 2013
- Most recent
- April 27, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Elephant Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Silver Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Cusson129 acres
1.5 miles away
Black Duck Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ash Lake1,250 acres
3.5 miles away
Chub Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ash Lake126 acres
4.2 miles away
Bell Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Cusson110 acres
6.7 miles away
Clear Lake
15 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck145 acres
6.9 miles away
Lake Marion
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake183 acres
7.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Elephant Lake?
Elephant Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ash Lake. It covers 728 acres and reaches 30 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Elephant Lake?
Elephant Lake covers 728 acres with about 9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 30 feet.
What fish can you catch at Elephant Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Elephant Lake?
Yes. Elephant Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Elephant Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Elephant 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 Elephant Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Elephant Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Elephant Lake?
Yes. Daily limit 10.
When does the ice go out on Elephant Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 28, from 22 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 26, 2012 and the latest is May 14, 2013.