Purvis Lake
St. Louis County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data
Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 69016600
DNR records show 5 stocking entries at Purvis Lake since 2016, most recently walleye fry in 2024 (25,000 fish).
- Purvis Lake has 5 DNR stocking records across 5 years (2016-2024): walleye (5).
- The most-stocked species by count is walleye: 225,000 fish on record.
- Maximum depth 50 ft; surface area 53 acres, 24 littoral acres, 1.7 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
- Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 10.3 ft.
- Fish species DNR lists here: largemouth bass, northern pike, rock bass, walleye, yellow perch.
- 1 public access on the DNR list.
- Most recent DNR fish survey: (standard survey).
- St. Louis County, nearest town Ely; DNR lake number (DOW) 69016600.
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | fry | 25,000 | 0.2 |
| 2022 | Walleye | fry | 50,000 | 0.5 |
| 2021 | Walleye | fry | 50,000 | 0.5 |
| 2018 | Walleye | fry | 50,000 | 0.6 |
| 2016 | Walleye | fry | 50,000 | 0.5 |
Public accesses
| Type | Owner | Where |
|---|---|---|
| CA | Minnesota DNR | 260 yard portage from Purvis Lake forest road. - Rocky, fairly steep at lake. |
DNR fish survey, 2019
| Species | Gear | Catch per net | Total catch | Avg lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 1.75 | 7 | 1.81 |
| Rock bass | Standard gill nets | 0.25 | 1 | 0.09 |
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 0.25 | 1 | 4.67 |
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 0.25 | 1 | 0.15 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 0.25 | 1 | 1.21 |
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.
Purvis Lake is located approximately 8 miles southwest of Ely within the Superior National Forest. This 53 acre lake is surrounded by a mixed forest. The current water level appears to be high and dead trees are fairly common along the shoreline. The most common access is by a 48 rod portage from the Purvis Lake Forest Road. There are no official overnight campsites near the lake. There is a DNR Scientific and Natural Area along portions of the east and southeast shores. The Taconite Snowmobile Trail runs along the north side of the lake. A three-sided shelter can be found along the trail near the lake's northeast shore. Five species of fish were sampled during the 2019 survey. The gill net catch of 2.8 fish/net is the lowest recorded since 1989. Northern pike were 64% of the catch. The most recent previous survey of Purvis Lake was completed in 2009. Pike numbers in 2019 were slightly below the historic average of 2.1/gill net for this lake and below average when compared to other lakes in the area that are similar. Pike lengths averaged 20.3 inches which is nearly identical to the historic average length. The largest pike sampled measured 23.7 inches. One 24.3 inch walleye was sampled in 2019. This 12 year old walleye is the largest sampled to date from Purvis Lake. Walleye fry are currently stocked during even numbered years.
Minnesota DNR survey narrative, .
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