Purvis Lake
About Purvis Lake
Purvis Lake is a 53-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 50 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 1.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.3 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and rock bass. 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 2019.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.
Plan Your Visit to Purvis Lake
- 53 acres, up to 50 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, yellow perch, and rock bass
- Average water clarity around 10.3 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 53 acres
- Max depth
- 50 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 10.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 24 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 is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 5
- Game fish
- 5
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2019
- 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 Purvis Lake
Compare Purvis Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Muckwa Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely147 acres
1.9 miles away
Eagles Nest No. Four Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely178 acres
2.4 miles away
Twin Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely224 acres
2.8 miles away
West Robinson Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely121 acres
3.1 miles away
Armstrong Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely382 acres
3.7 miles away
Clear Lake
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely113 acres
3.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Purvis Lake?
Purvis Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 53 acres and reaches 50 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Purvis Lake?
Purvis Lake covers 53 acres with about 1.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 50 feet.
What fish can you catch at Purvis Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Purvis Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Purvis Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Purvis 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 Purvis Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Purvis Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.