Lac la Croix
About Lac la Croix
Lac la Croix is a 29,597-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 168 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 482.4 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 3 among the 270 St. Louis County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.4 feet. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 fish species here, including walleye, sauger, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and lake trout. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 90 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.
Plan Your Visit to Lac la Croix
- 29,597 acres, up to 168 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: walleye, sauger, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and lake trout
- Average water clarity around 9.4 feet
- Camping close to the water
- Border water with Canada — know which side of the line you are fishing on
- Listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 29,597 acres
- Max depth
- 168 ft
- Shoreline
- 482.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 8,500 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
- Border-water seasons and limits with Canada differ from Minnesota inland rules
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- Camping (90 mapped)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Big water: wind builds dangerous waves quickly, so check the forecast and carry safety gear
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 12
- Game fish
- 10
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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
90 campgrounds are mapped on or near Lac la Croix. 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 Lac la Croix
Compare Lac la Croix against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Lac la Croix ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Lac la Croix ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Lac la Croix ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Lac la Croix ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Pocket Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake241 acres
0.5 miles away
Takucmich Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake338 acres
1.8 miles away
Finger Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake272 acres
2.3 miles away
Ge-Be-On-Equat Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake660 acres
2.8 miles away
Gun Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake184 acres
3 miles away
Beartrack Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake156 acres
3.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lac la Croix?
Lac la Croix is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 29,597 acres and reaches 168 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Lac la Croix?
Lac la Croix covers 29,597 acres with about 482.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 168 feet.
What fish can you catch at Lac la Croix?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), and Lake Whitefish and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Lac la Croix?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Lac la Croix?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Lac la Croix. 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 Lac la Croix stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Lac la Croix; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Lac la Croix?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Lac la Croix have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Lac la Croix as infested with spiny waterflea. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.