---
type: lake
name: "St. Mary's Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Spruce"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 234
max_depth_ft: 44
latitude: 47.42757
longitude: -92.51274
lake_score: 75
dnr_lake_id: "69065100"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/st-mary-s-lake
---

# St. Mary's Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Spruce

- **Surface Area**: 234 acres
- **Max Depth**: 44 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 16.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Public access on record
- **Lake Score**: 75/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Public access on record
- **Managed by**: Not recorded
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 13
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling, Swimming, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Swim Beach, Campground, Picnic Area

### Beaches

- Veterans Park Ely Lake Beach

### Campgrounds

- Eveleth Veterans Park Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 24
- **Years of record**: 9
- **Earliest**: 2017-04-09
- **Latest**: 2023-05-05

## Nearby Lakes

- [Ely Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/ely-lake) - 2.1 miles, 723 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/long-lake-eveleth) - 2.3 miles, 150 acres
- [Pleasant Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/pleasant-lake) - 2.5 miles, 335 acres
- [Half Moon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/half-moon-lake) - 3.1 miles, 162 acres
- [Gilbert Pit](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/gilbert-pit) - 4.3 miles, 243 acres
- [Elbow Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/elbow-lake-iron-junction) - 5 miles, 169 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.42757,-92.51274)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69065100)
- [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/st-mary-s-lake)*