St James Pit
About St James Pit
St James Pit is a 124-acre mine pit lake near Aurora in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 381 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 115 feet, and has roughly 2.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 29 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including walleye, black crappie, bluegill, and rainbow trout. 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 2024.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the city. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.
Plan Your Visit to St James Pit
- 124 acres, up to 381 feet deep, near Aurora
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the city
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, black crappie, bluegill, and rainbow trout
- Average water clarity around 29 feet — very clear
- Listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- city
Conditions
- Surface area
- 124 acres
- Max depth
- 381 ft
- Average depth
- 115 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 29 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 8 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 trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- 1 carry-in access
Best For
- Quiet paddling
- Mine pit lakes drop off steeply right from shore and stay cold at depth
- 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
- 4
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to St James Pit
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Nearby Lakes
Sabin Lake (Embarrass Mine)
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Aurora156 acres
2.1 miles away
Wynne Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Aurora279 acres
3 miles away
Whitewater Lake
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Hoyt Lakes1,212 acres
3.7 miles away
Embarrass Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Biwabik463 acres
3.8 miles away
Colby Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Hoyt Lakes518 acres
4.2 miles away
Sabin Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Aurora312 acres
4.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is St James Pit?
St James Pit is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Aurora. It covers 124 acres and reaches 381 feet deep.
How big and how deep is St James Pit?
St James Pit covers 124 acres with about 2.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 381 feet and its average depth is about 115 feet.
What fish can you catch at St James Pit?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Rainbow Trout. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on St James Pit?
Yes. St James Pit has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the city. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at St James Pit?
There is no mapped public swim beach at St James Pit. 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 St James Pit stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for St James Pit; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Does St James Pit have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists St James Pit as infested with zebra mussel. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.