Shell Lake
About Shell Lake
Shell Lake is a 493-acre lake near Crane Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 15 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 8.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2015.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 6 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Shell Lake
- 493 acres, up to 15 feet deep, near Crane Lake
- 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, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 4.8 feet
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 493 acres
- Max depth
- 15 ft
- Shoreline
- 8.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 4.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 493 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
- Camping (6 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- 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
- 8
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2015
- 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
6 campgrounds are mapped on or near Shell Lake. 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 Shell Lake
Compare Shell Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Shell Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Shell Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Lynx Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake291 acres
1.2 miles away
Lower Pauness Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake171 acres
1.7 miles away
Heritage Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake207 acres
1.7 miles away
Upper Pauness Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake192 acres
2.2 miles away
Hustler Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake277 acres
3.1 miles away
Ramshead Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake553 acres
4.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Shell Lake?
Shell Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Crane Lake. It covers 493 acres and reaches 15 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Shell Lake?
Shell Lake covers 493 acres with about 8.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 15 feet.
What fish can you catch at Shell Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Shell Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Shell Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Shell 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 Shell Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Shell Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Shell Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.