Mitchell Lake Fishing near Ely, Minnesota

• Overview

  Mitchell Lake is one of the Saint Louis County listings for Minnesota. It lies 1,483 feet above sea level. With some 243 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The perimeter runs near 3.5 miles, so plan the walk before you start. On our Saint Louis County list it sits near the top for size. The nearest town is Ely, 4.1 miles away. Beyond it, Babbitt at 10 miles and Hoyt Lakes at 25 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Mitchell Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. County-wide records name yellow perch, northern pike and white sucker. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Treat Mitchell Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 65°F and January near 2°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late April. The water is typically free of ice between late April and late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Mitchell Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. If the gate is shut, Beaver Pond at 1.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Rules at Mitchell Lake are worth checking on the day.