---
type: lake
name: "Shell Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Crane Lake"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 493
max_depth_ft: 15
latitude: 48.20395
longitude: -92.21005
lake_score: 49
dnr_lake_id: "69046100"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/shell-lake
---

# Shell Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Crane Lake

- **Surface Area**: 493 acres
- **Max Depth**: 15 ft
- **Shoreline**: 8.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 4.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 49/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## 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**: 8
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2015
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lynx Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/lynx-lake) - 1.2 miles, 291 acres
- [Lower Pauness Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/lower-pauness-lake) - 1.7 miles, 171 acres
- [Heritage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/heritage-lake) - 1.7 miles, 207 acres
- [Upper Pauness Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/upper-pauness-lake) - 2.2 miles, 192 acres
- [Hustler Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/hustler-lake) - 3.1 miles, 277 acres
- [Ramshead Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/ramshead-lake) - 4.9 miles, 553 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.20395,-92.21005)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69046100)
- [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/shell-lake)*