---
type: lake
name: "Lac la Croix"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 29597
max_depth_ft: 168
latitude: 48.32085
longitude: -92.13555
lake_score: 67
dnr_lake_id: "69022400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/lac-la-croix
---

# Lac la Croix

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 29,597 acres
- **Max Depth**: 168 ft
- **Shoreline**: 482.4 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 9.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 67/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with Canada

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 12
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Lake Whitefish, Rock Bass, Rainbow Smelt, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

spiny waterflea. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [Pocket Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/pocket-lake) - 0.5 miles, 241 acres
- [Takucmich Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/takucmich-lake) - 1.8 miles, 338 acres
- [Finger Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/finger-lake) - 2.3 miles, 272 acres
- [Ge-Be-On-Equat Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/ge-be-on-equat-lake) - 2.8 miles, 660 acres
- [Gun Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/gun-lake-crane-lake) - 3 miles, 184 acres
- [Beartrack Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/beartrack-lake) - 3.3 miles, 156 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.32085,-92.13555)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69022400)
- [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/lac-la-croix)*