Grassy Lake
About Grassy Lake
Grassy Lake is a 257-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 15 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 6 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2019.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 3 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Grassy Lake
- 257 acres, up to 15 feet deep, near Ely
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 8 feet
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 257 acres
- Max depth
- 15 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 257 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
- 3 carry-in accesses
- Camping (3 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 6
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2019
- 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
3 campgrounds are mapped on or near Grassy 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 Grassy Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Low Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely316 acres
1.9 miles away
High Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely274 acres
2.1 miles away
Picket Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely68 acres
2.1 miles away
Fenske Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely108 acres
2.2 miles away
Nels Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely182 acres
2.2 miles away
Bass Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely169 acres
2.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Grassy Lake?
Grassy Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 257 acres and reaches 15 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Grassy Lake?
Grassy Lake covers 257 acres with about 6.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 15 feet.
What fish can you catch at Grassy Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Grassy Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Grassy Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Grassy 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 Grassy Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Grassy Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Grassy Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.