Minister Lake
About Minister Lake
Minister Lake is a 56-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 16 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 1.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2016.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.
Plan Your Visit to Minister Lake
- 56 acres, up to 16 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, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 7.8 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 56 acres
- Max depth
- 16 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 51 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
- 1 carry-in access
Best For
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 7
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2016
- 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.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Minister Lake
Compare Minister Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Little Long Lake
65 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely322 acres
1.5 miles away
East Twin Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely123 acres
1.6 miles away
Everett Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely113 acres
2.1 miles away
High Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely274 acres
2.3 miles away
Burntside Lake
87 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely7,314 acres
2.7 miles away
Fenske Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely108 acres
2.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Minister Lake?
Minister Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 56 acres and reaches 16 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Minister Lake?
Minister Lake covers 56 acres with about 1.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 16 feet.
What fish can you catch at Minister Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth 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 Minister Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Minister Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Minister 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 Minister Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Minister Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.