---
type: lake
name: "Picket Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 68
max_depth_ft: 9
latitude: 48.02971
longitude: -91.84495
lake_score: 48
dnr_lake_id: "69007900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/picket-lake-ely
---

# Picket Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 68 acres
- **Max Depth**: 9 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 48/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Picket Lake is a 68-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 9 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6 feet. Access is by portage through Superior National Forest; most lakes reached this way lie in or beside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where an entry permit is required.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2014.

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
- **Wilderness permit**: BWCAW entry permit required

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 9
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2014
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling, Canoe Tripping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Carry-In Access

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Grassy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/grassy-lake) - 2.1 miles, 257 acres
- [Nels Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/nels-lake) - 2.1 miles, 182 acres
- [South Hegman Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/south-hegman-lake) - 3.2 miles, 118 acres
- [Low Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/low-lake) - 3.4 miles, 316 acres
- [Tin Can Mike Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/tin-can-mike-lake) - 3.7 miles, 145 acres
- [Fenske Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/fenske-lake) - 3.8 miles, 108 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.02971,-91.84495)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69007900)
- [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/picket-lake-ely)*