Stuart Lake
About Stuart Lake
Stuart Lake is a 776-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 40 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 11.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.5 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.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, and tullibee (cisco). 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.
There is one public boat launch (asphalt surface) managed by the US Forest Service. 6 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Stuart Lake
- 776 acres, up to 40 feet deep, near Ely
- 1 public boat launch (asphalt) — managed by the US Forest Service
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, and tullibee (cisco)
- Average water clarity around 5.5 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
- 1 public boat launch (asphalt)
- Launch fee
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 776 acres
- Max depth
- 40 ft
- Shoreline
- 11.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 5.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 236 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
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (asphalt)
- 3 portage accesses
- Camping (6 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- 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
- 5
- Game fish
- 4
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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.
Camping & Reservations
6 campgrounds are mapped on or near Stuart 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 Stuart Lake
Compare Stuart Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Stuart Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Stuart Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Stuart Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Stuart Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Stuart Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Rush Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Winton115 acres
2.3 miles away
Lake Agnes
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake1,045 acres
2.9 miles away
Nina Moose Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Burntside Lake411 acres
3.6 miles away
Ramshead Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake553 acres
4.6 miles away
Lamb Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake100 acres
4.8 miles away
Iron Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Winton1,962 acres
5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Stuart Lake?
Stuart Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 776 acres and reaches 40 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Stuart Lake?
Stuart Lake covers 776 acres with about 11.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 40 feet.
What fish can you catch at Stuart Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Tullibee (Cisco). A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Stuart Lake?
Yes. Stuart Lake has 1 public boat launch (asphalt), managed by the US Forest Service. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Stuart Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Stuart 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.
Is Stuart Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Stuart Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Stuart Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.