Fall Lake
Lake County, Minnesota
Share your catch!
We want to see what you've caught on Fall Lake.Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Lake, MN
- How big is Fall Lake?
- How deep is Fall Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Fall Lake?
- Are there fishing guides or charters for Fall Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Fall Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Fall Lake area?
- Are there boat launches on Fall Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Fall Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Fall Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Fall Lake?
How big is Fall Lake?
How deep is Fall Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Fall Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Cisco (Tullibee), Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Lake Whitefish, Logperch, Shorthead Redhorse and White Sucker.
Are there fishing guides or charters for Fall Lake?
What are the closest cities to Fall Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Fall Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there boat launches on Fall Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Fall Lake?
Explore the Fall Lake area in a RV
Are you looking for an adventurous vacation option that won't break the bank? Look no further than renting an RV! Contrary to popular belief, the process is much simpler than you might imagine. With just a few easy steps, you'll soon be experiencing the ultimate freedom and convenience of exploring the open road in your very own recreational vehicle. And the best part? RV travel can save you up to 60% compared to other types of vacations! With the money you'll save, you'll be able to travel even more and create unforgettable memories along the way. So why wait? Start planning your next adventure today with an RV rental. Learn more about renting a RV.
What aquatic invasive species are found in Fall Lake?
Join us in the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species These sneaky creatures can hitch a ride on boats, clinging onto propellers, anchor lines, and trailers. They can even survive in hidden places like bilge water and ballast tanks, or disguise themselves in dirt and sand that sticks to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. But don't worry, we have the power to stop them in their tracks with just a few simple steps. So let's do our part and protect our waters from these unwanted invaders.
History & Status of the Fishery
Fall Lake is located four miles northeast of Ely. There are three main public accesses, two of which have concrete ramps, the other is gravel. This 2,258 acre lake contains two substantial inlets. The Shagawa River comes in on the west end of the lake and the Kawishiwi River enters on the south side at the site of the Winton Hydroelectric dam. The one outlet flows over a low head dam located on the north side of the lake on its way to Newton, then Basswood Lake. Fall has a maximum depth of 32 feet and brown colored water.
On August 22, 2022 Fall Lake was weakly thermally stratified with a surface temperature of 73 F and a bottom temperature of 63 F. Oxygen levels were adequate for gamefish to a depth of 23 feet where the water temperature was 68 F. Shoal-water substrates consist of mostly boulder with some areas of gravel and sand.
The overall gillnet catch rate for all fish combined was 32.8 fish/net which was just below the historic average on Fall Lake. Total yield was 25.9 lbs/net which was also just below the average of past surveys on the lake. Fish species sampled were walleye, tullibee, yellow perch, white sucker, northern pike, rock bass, and smallmouth bass.
Two-hundred walleye were sampled in gill nets for a catch rate of 16.7 fish/net which was very good compared to other similar lakes and the highest catch rate in the history of Fall Lake. It also ranks 7th out of 198 surveys of walleye lakes in the area. Sizes ranged from 4 to 26 inches with an average of 12 inches. Growth was slow as it took the average walleye six years to reach 15 inches. Ages ranged from 0 to 16 years. One hundred eighty-four of 199 fish (92%) were age-4 or younger and there were no missing year classes between 2013 and 2022.
The northern pike gillnet catch rate of 3.3 fish/net was near the lake's historic average and better than average compared to other similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 15 to 27.5 inches with an average of 19.5 inches.
The yellow perch gillnet catch rate was 4.1 fish/net which was just below average for Fall Lake. Lengths were similar to past surveys with a range from 5 to 11 inches and an average of 8 inches.
Fifty-four cisco were sampled for a catch rate of 4.5 fish/net. This was below the lake's historic average. Sizes were 7 to 17 inches with an average of 11 inches. Sizes were similar to past surveys.
What is the average air temp for Fall Lake?
Are there any state parks near Fall Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Fall Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Browns Lake | 1.3 mi | 219 | 19 ft |
| Stub Lake | 1.6 mi | 89 | 20 ft |
| Garden Lake | 1.6 mi | 653 | 55 ft |
| Cedar Lake | 2.5 mi | 465 | 45 ft |
| Lake Thirty Three | 2.5 mi | 30 | |
| Newton Lake | 2.8 mi | 516 | 47 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 3.0 mi | 581 | |
| Picketts Lake | 3.1 mi | 28 | 12 ft |
| Camp Lake | 3.2 mi | 76 | 31 ft |
| Farm Lake | 3.3 mi | 1,292 | 56 ft |
