Little Lake (St. Louis County)

St. Louis County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data

Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 69005600

DNR records show 5 stocking entries at Little Lake (St. Louis County) since 2017, most recently walleye fry in 2025 (60,000 fish).

• Little Lake (St. Louis County) has 5 DNR stocking records across 5 years (2017-2025): walleye (5).
• The most-stocked species by count is walleye: 306,000 fish on record.
• Maximum depth 24 ft; surface area 71 acres, 50 littoral acres, 2.2 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
• Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 6.0 ft.
• Fish species DNR lists here: burbot, northern pike, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.
• 2 public accesses on the DNR list.
• Most recent DNR fish survey: May 30, 2023 (standard survey).
• St. Louis County, nearest town Ely; DNR lake number (DOW) 69005600.

Depth map

Bathymetric contours from the Minnesota DNR lake survey mapped 8/27/1964 (orig map); depths in feet. Simplified for the web; not for navigation.

Stocking history

Public accesses

DNR fish survey, 2023

Catch per net (CPUE) is the DNR survey's count per gill net or trap net set; higher means more of that species were sampled, not a fishing forecast. Top species per gear shown; where we have no verified common name for a DNR code, the code itself is shown.

Little Lake is approximately eight miles south of Ely within the Superior National Forest. This 71-acre remote lake is characterized by its rugged shorelines of ledge rock with large boulders and a surrounding forest that is dominated by conifers such as jack pine and black spruce. Historically, anglers reached the lake via two separate portages on the north side of the lake. Currently the eastern-most portage, which is 80 rods long, is being used and maintained. This portage is located off a primitive forest road that is east of CR 402, which runs south off CR 120. The forest road is in poor condition, which makes the portage longer. Best travel options are a 4-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance or ATV/UTV. Parking space is limited to road edges or adjoining ledge rock outcrops. Two user developed campsites were identified on the lake by previous DNR crews. Walleye numbers in this survey were above the historic average for this lake and comparable to lakes with similar habitat. The average walleye was 15.5 inches long, which was slightly smaller than the historic average in Little Lake. Over 75% of the walleye sampled were 14 inches or larger, which should provide good harvest opportunities for anglers. The largest walleye was 22.0 inches. Walleye fry are currently stocked in Little Lake in odd numbered years, and there is also evidence of natural reproduction within the lake. Northern Pike numbers were below the historic average for this lake and below average compared to similar lakes. The average northern pike was 22.6 inches long, which was larger than the historic average length. The largest pike was 27.7 inches long. Other species sampled in this survey included burbot, white sucker, and yellow perch.

Minnesota DNR survey narrative, May 30, 2023.

All Minnesota stockings · every Minnesota lake with a page · state CSV · this lake on DNR LakeFinder