---
type: lake
name: "Johnson Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 456
max_depth_ft: 18
latitude: 47.81555
longitude: -91.91611
lake_score: 52
dnr_lake_id: "69011700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/johnson-lake-ely
---

# Johnson Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 456 acres
- **Max Depth**: 18 ft
- **Shoreline**: 10.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 52/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Johnson Lake is a 456-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 18 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 10.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.8 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth 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. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2022.

There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the US Forest Service.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 11
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2022
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Carry-In Access

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [One Pine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/one-pine-lake) - 1.9 miles, 354 acres
- [Blueberry Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/blueberry-lake) - 2.4 miles, 125 acres
- [Mitchell Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/mitchell-lake) - 3 miles, 248 acres
- [Twin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/twin-lake) - 3.5 miles, 224 acres
- [Bear Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/bear-island-lake) - 3.6 miles, 2,362 acres
- [Muckwa Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/muckwa-lake) - 3.6 miles, 147 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.81555,-91.91611)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69011700)
- [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/johnson-lake-ely)*