Ely Lake

**Location & Access:** Ely Lake is a 723-acre lake located two miles southeast of Eveleth in St. Louis County. The public boat ramp is situated near the northeast corner of the lake, accessible off Cedar Island Drive (CR 629). The concrete plank ramp provides standard trailered boat access, though parking is limited at this site.

**Lake Characteristics:** Ely Lake reaches depths of up to 70 feet with a mixed bottom of rock and soft-bottom areas. The lake features very good water clarity and abundant aquatic vegetation, making it suitable for fishing, paddling, and boating. Note that a fixed concrete dam at the outlet prevents upstream travel. A carry-down access option is also available on the east side of the lake for hand-launched boats.

**Practical Tips:** Given the limited parking and concrete plank ramp configuration, this access works best for kayakers and canoeists launching smaller watercraft. The lake's size and depth make it suitable for day paddling and exploration, though paddlers should be aware of the vegetation and respect the fishing community that uses this water body.