Knife Lake
Knife Lake covers about 4,919 acres in Lake County, near Ely, on the Canadian border (shared with Ontario). The Minnesota DNR lists a maximum depth of 179 ft. DNR fish surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass and Bluegill, among other species.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
Lake Trout
Deep, cold water. Downriggers or vertical jigging.
Lake Whitefish
Deep, cold water. Small jigs and spoons, mostly through the ice.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the MN DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Knife Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Knife Lake ↗Local tips
- Ontario waters need an Ontario fishing license. Know where the border is before you fish.
- Check the MN DNR LakeFinder page for the latest survey, map and regulations.
- Minnesota law requires you to clean, drain and dry your boat and gear to stop invasive species.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Minnesota lakes
Leech Lake Lake Winnibigoshish Rainy Lake Lake Vermilion Lac la Croix Basswood Lake Kabetogama Lake Namakan Lake All Minnesota lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.