St. Mary's Lake
About St. Mary's Lake
St. Mary's Lake is a 234-acre lake near Spruce in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 44 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 16.4 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. 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 2025.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. OpenStreetMap shows Veterans Park Ely Lake Beach on or beside the lake. Eveleth Veterans Park Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 24, based on 9 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to St. Mary's Lake
- 234 acres, up to 44 feet deep, near Spruce
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 16.4 feet — very clear
- Swim beach on or beside the lake (Veterans Park Ely Lake Beach)
- Camping close to the water at Eveleth Veterans Park Campground
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 234 acres
- Max depth
- 44 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 16.4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 78 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
- Swim beach: Veterans Park Ely Lake Beach
- Camping: Eveleth Veterans Park Campground
- Picnic area
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Swimming and beach days
- 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
- 13
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 24
- Years of record
- 9
- Earliest
- April 9, 2017
- Latest
- May 5, 2023
- Most recent
- May 5, 2023
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Eveleth Veterans Park Campground is mapped on or near St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Ely Lake
75 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Eveleth723 acres
2.1 miles away
Long Lake
35 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Eveleth150 acres
2.3 miles away
Pleasant Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Eveleth335 acres
2.5 miles away
Half Moon Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Peary162 acres
3.1 miles away
Gilbert Pit
82 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Gilbert243 acres
4.3 miles away
Elbow Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Iron Junction169 acres
5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is St. Mary's Lake?
St. Mary's Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Spruce. It covers 234 acres and reaches 44 feet deep.
How big and how deep is St. Mary's Lake?
St. Mary's Lake covers 234 acres with about 4.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 44 feet.
What fish can you catch at St. Mary's Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on St. Mary's Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at St. Mary's Lake?
Yes. A swim beach is mapped on or beside the lake (Veterans Park Ely Lake Beach). Most Minnesota beaches have no lifeguard, so swim at your own risk and check for beach advisories.
Is St. Mary's Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for St. Mary's Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on St. Mary's Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 24, from 9 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 9, 2017 and the latest is May 5, 2023.
Can you camp at St. Mary's Lake?
Yes. Eveleth Veterans Park Campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.