Elm Island Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

01012300

County

Aitkin

Surface area

520 acres

Maximum depth

25 feet

Mean depth

9 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

389 acres, 75% of the lake

Shoreline

7.9 miles

Average water clarity

6.0 feet (Secchi disk, 6 readings)

Latest DNR fish survey

June 2025, targeted survey

Surveys on record

15, since 1977

Game fish caught in the 2025 survey

bluegill 201, yellow perch 50, pumpkinseed 28, black crappie 21, northern pike 14, largemouth bass 11, rock bass 2, hybrid sunfish 1

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, yellow perch, and 20 other species

Stocked in 2022

walleye fingerlings (6,716)

Stocked in 2019

walleye fingerlings (8,674)

Stocked in 2016

walleye fingerlings (12,072)

Elm Island Lake Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, natural ramp, 8 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Eating advice, general populations

bullhead: all sizes - 2 servings/week

Size

500 to 1,999 acres

Deepest point

15 to 29 feet

Public access

Yes

Lake-specific eating advice

Yes

Sources

• Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota Department of Health fish consumption guidelines
  Checked September 24, 2026

Survey catches show what DNR nets and electrofishing found on the survey date, not how the fishing is today. Check the current regulations and the Department of Health advice before you keep fish, and confirm access conditions before you tow a boat.