Big Lake
St. Louis County · Near Ely
2.97 mi²
area
22 ft
max depth
25.9 mi
shoreline
4
campsites
9 ft
mean depth
Big Lake sprawls across 1,904 acres near Ely with a maximum depth of 22 feet. The fairly open water can get windy and choppy, while extensive shallow, weedy bays provide productive fish habitat for walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and other species. Four campsites are available. Access is via a 147-rod hard portage to La Pond or a 460-rod strenuous carry to Stuart; Big Lake connects by open water to La Pond and Baldpate.
Fish species (8)
black crappieburbotnorthern pikerock basssmallmouth basswalleyewhite suckeryellow perch
Portages (2)
- La Pond · 147 rods
- unnamed connection · 460 rods
Sources
DNR fisheries survey data available for Big Lake. Bathymetric map available from the MN DNR.