---
type: lake
name: "White Iron Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 3237
max_depth_ft: 47
latitude: 47.86805
longitude: -91.78938
lake_score: 58
dnr_lake_id: "69000400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/white-iron-lake
---

# White Iron Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 3,237 acres
- **Max Depth**: 47 ft
- **Shoreline**: 35.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 58/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

White Iron Lake is a 3,237-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 47 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 35.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.7 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, tiger muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. Special fishing regulations apply to walleye, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.

There are 3 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and county. Ice typically goes out around April 28, based on 15 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Walleye**: All from 17-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Tiger Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 28
- **Years of record**: 15
- **Earliest**: 2021-04-14
- **Latest**: 2022-05-10

## Nearby Lakes

- [Farm Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/farm-lake) - 3.5 miles, 1,292 acres
- [Miner's Pit](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/miner-s-pit) - 4.1 miles, 141 acres
- [Garden Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/garden-lake) - 4.3 miles, 653 acres
- [South Farm Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-county/south-farm-lake) - 4.8 miles, 564 acres
- [Shagawa Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/shagawa-lake) - 5.1 miles, 2,345 acres
- [One Pine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/one-pine-lake) - 5.6 miles, 354 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.86805,-91.78938)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69000400)
- [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/white-iron-lake)*