Whisper Lake
About Whisper Lake
Whisper Lake is a 46-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 25 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 1.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. 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 2021.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Whisper Lake
- 46 acres, up to 25 feet deep, near Ely
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 9.8 feet
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 46 acres
- Max depth
- 25 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 38 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
- 2 carry-in accesses
- Camping (1 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 7
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2021
- 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.
Camping & Reservations
1 campground is mapped on or near Whisper 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 Whisper Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Perch Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Babbitt100 acres
0.8 miles away
Bear Island Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Babbitt2,362 acres
2.7 miles away
Blueberry Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Rothman125 acres
3.6 miles away
Birch Lake
75 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Babbitt7,074 acres
3.8 miles away
Johnson Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely456 acres
4.5 miles away
Muckwa Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely147 acres
4.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Whisper Lake?
Whisper Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 46 acres and reaches 25 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Whisper Lake?
Whisper Lake covers 46 acres with about 1.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 25 feet.
What fish can you catch at Whisper Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Whisper Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Whisper Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Whisper 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 Whisper Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Whisper Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Whisper Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.