Lac la Croix is a massive border water spanning 34,070 acres total, with 19,820 acres in Minnesota and 14,250 acres in Ontario. Located northwest of Ely in St. Louis County, this sprawling lake lies along the Canadian border and is almost entirely within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 168 feet with 8,500 acres of littoral area and an impressive 482.36 miles of shoreline. The water clarity averages 8.5 feet and exhibits varying water color, from clear on the west end to brown bog-stain on the east end. The lake's massive drainage includes the Basswood River along the border and the Maligne River in Ontario, with outlets flowing to the Namakan River north and the Loon River west, both eventually reconvening in Namakan Lake downstream.
Learn what type of fish are at Lac la Croix and what's needed to catch them.
Micropterus dolomieu
Esox lucius
Sander vitreus
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Lota lota
Salvelinus namaycush
Coregonus clupeaformis
Lepomis gibbosus
Ambloplites rupestris
Sander canadensis
Moxostoma macrolepidotum
Catostomus commersonii
Perca flavescens
Learn how to get on Lac la Croix. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
What you need to float or boat Lac la Croix, and when to apply.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Reservation permit · All boaters · Required year-round
Every visit to the Boundary Waters needs a permit, and overnight and motor trips from May 1 to Sep 30 need a reserved quota permit.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 with Superior National Forest
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
You need to buy a Minnesota fishing license if you're 16 or older. Annual licenses allow you to fish from March 1 to the last day of February the following year. Lower-cost licenses are available for shorter time periods. There is an added cost to fish for trout, salmon or sturgeon. All non-residents, regardless of age, must buy a fishing license.
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
A Minnesota waterway is navigable if it’s capable of travel, recreational or commercial. The state owns navigable streambeds, which are open to public recreation. All surface waters and groundwater, except for surface waters not confined, are waters of the state.
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Download the map around Lac la Croix to use it offline when coverage drops.
Keep a private fishing journal for Lac la Croix to find where and when fish are biting for you.
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.
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See the best times to fish Lac la Croix and check the forecast before you go.
No forecast data available.
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