South Hegman Lake
About South Hegman Lake
South Hegman Lake is an 118-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 55 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.3 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.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 5 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to South Hegman Lake
- 118 acres, up to 55 feet deep, near Ely
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Average water clarity around 8.3 feet
- Camping close to the water
- Boundary Waters country: entry permit required, no cans or glass bottles, and motors are restricted on most lakes
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Portage access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 118 acres
- Max depth
- 55 ft
- Shoreline
- 4 mi
- Water clarity
- 8.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 55 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
- A BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
Facilities
- 2 portage accesses
- Camping (5 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
5 campgrounds are mapped on or near South Hegman 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 South Hegman Lake
Compare South Hegman Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
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Fenske Lake
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Slim Lake
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Picket Lake
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3.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is South Hegman Lake?
South Hegman Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 118 acres and reaches 55 feet deep.
How big and how deep is South Hegman Lake?
South Hegman Lake covers 118 acres with about 4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 55 feet.
What fish can you catch at South Hegman Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for South Hegman Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on South Hegman Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at South Hegman Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at South Hegman 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.
Can you camp at South Hegman Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.