High Lake
About High Lake
High Lake is a 274-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 66 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.3 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including bluegill, rainbow trout, brook trout, and splake. 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 2024.
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 High Lake
- 274 acres, up to 66 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: bluegill, rainbow trout, brook trout, and splake
- Average water clarity around 12.3 feet — very clear
- 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
- 274 acres
- Max depth
- 66 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 12.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 99 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 trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
Facilities
- 2 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
- 5
- Game fish
- 4
- Stocked
- Yes
- 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
3 campgrounds are mapped on or near High 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 High Lake
Compare High Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how High Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how High Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how High Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how High Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Bass Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely169 acres
1.3 miles away
Fenske Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely108 acres
1.9 miles away
Grassy Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely257 acres
2.1 miles away
Everett Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely113 acres
2.1 miles away
Low Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely316 acres
2.3 miles away
Hobo Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely74 acres
2.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is High Lake?
High Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 274 acres and reaches 66 feet deep.
How big and how deep is High Lake?
High Lake covers 274 acres with about 6.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 66 feet.
What fish can you catch at High Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Bluegill, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and Splake. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on High Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at High Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at High 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 High Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for High Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at High Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.