Little

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.

Little Lake is located approximately 8 miles south of Ely within the Superior National Forest. This 71 acre remote lake is characterized by its rugged shorelines of ledgerock with large boulders present and a surrounding forest that is dominated by conifers such as jack pine and black spruce. Historically there have been two separate portages located on the N side of the lake for public access. Currently the 80 rod portage that is located more towards the east is the one being used and maintained. This portage is located off a primitive forest road that is east of CR 402, which is south off CR 120. It should be noted that the forest road is in poor condition and the distance of the portage will most likely lengthen for interested users. Parking space is limited to road edges or adjoining ledgerock outcrops. Two user developed campsites were identified by the crew during the 2018 survey. Seven northern pike, five walleye and one white sucker were sampled in 4 gill nets during the 2018 survey of Little Lake. Four small yellow perch were also sampled with minnow traps. Northern pike numbers in 2018 (1.8/gill net) were identical to the long term average for this lake and below average (4.5/gill net) when compared to other similar lakes in the area. The average pike sampled was 22.4 inches long which is slightly larger than the historical average length of 20.1 inches. The largest pike sampled in 2018 was 25.8 inches in length. Walleye numbers in 2018 (1.3/gill net) were below the long term average (4.3/gill net) for this lake and below average (5.5/gill net) compared to other similar area lakes. The average walleye sampled was 15.1 inches long which is slightly smaller than the historic average length of 16.7 inches. The largest walleye sampled in 2018 was 19.0 inches in length. Walleye fry are currently stocked in Little Lake during odd numbered years.

Little Lake is located approximately 8 miles south of Ely and is in the Superior National Forest. Land ownership surrounding the lake is State of Minnesota and US Forest Service. It has a surface area of 61 acres and a maximum depth of 24 feet. The shoreline is rugged with boulders and ledgerock outcrops. Jack pine and black spruce are common surrounding the shore. The water clarity is influenced by a light brown or bog stained color. There is a beaver dam at the outlet to Kangas Lake that can affect water levels. Walleye fry are currently being stocked on odd numbered years. There are two separate portages accessing the lake from a primitive forest road located east of CR 402 which is located south of CR120. One portage is 110 rods in length and the other is 80 rods long. Parking space is limited at each site. Walleye numbers in 2013 (8.8/gill net) were above average for this lake class and above average for all investigations on this lake. The average walleye sampled was 16.9 inches long and about 6 to 7 years old. The largest walleye sampled was 27.6 inches long and 15 years old. Northern pike numbers in 2013 (2.0/gill net) were below average for this lake class and were similar when compared to all assessments on this lake. The average pike sampled was 23.9 inches long and the largest pike was 28.4 inches. Two white sucker and one yellow perch were also sampled. No other fish species were sampled or observed.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch in Little. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Little. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Little has a maximum depth of 24 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little is from 2023.

No invasive species are on record for Little in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.