---
type: lake
name: "Ely Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Eveleth"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 723
max_depth_ft: 70
latitude: 47.45082
longitude: -92.48299
lake_score: 75
dnr_lake_id: "69066000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/ely-lake
---

# Ely Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Eveleth

- **Surface Area**: 723 acres
- **Max Depth**: 70 ft
- **Shoreline**: 9.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 18.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 75/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Ely Lake is a 723-acre lake near Eveleth in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 70 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 9.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 18.5 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. OpenStreetMap shows Sparta Beach on or beside the lake. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 24, based on 40 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 14
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach

### Beaches

- Sparta Beach

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 24
- **Years of record**: 40
- **Earliest**: 2000-04-05
- **Latest**: 1996-05-09

## Nearby Lakes

- [St. Mary's Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/st-mary-s-lake) - 2.1 miles, 234 acres
- [Gilbert Pit](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/gilbert-pit) - 2.2 miles, 243 acres
- [Pleasant Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/pleasant-lake) - 3.9 miles, 335 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/long-lake-eveleth) - 4.4 miles, 150 acres
- [Half Moon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/half-moon-lake) - 4.8 miles, 162 acres
- [Manganika Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/manganika-lake) - 5.1 miles, 168 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.45082,-92.48299)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69066000)
- [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/ely-lake)*