Elephant Lake

How big is Elephant Lake?

How deep is Elephant Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Elephant Lake?

What are the closest cities to Elephant Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Elephant Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Elephant Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Elephant Lake

Are there boat launches on Elephant Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Elephant Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Elephant Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Elephant Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

Elephant Lake is located approximately 10 miles northeast of Orr, Minnesota. This 728 acre lake has a maximum depth of 30 feet, and about half of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. Elephant is part of the Sentinel Lake program, meaning that it is subject to more frequent and intensive lake surveys to monitor long term environmental changes. A fisheries survey was completed in Elephant Lake during the 2019 field season as part of a regular rotation of surveys in the International Falls Management Area. Anglers familiar with Elephant Lake should note that the experimental regulation for Northern Pike was repealed in 2020 after it failed to significantly improve the size structure of the population.

Black Crappie were sampled at fairly low numbers in the near-shore trap nets during the 2019 survey. However, the catch rates in the gill nets were above average for this type of lake. The average size was also bigger than what would be expected for Elephant Lake. Crappies in the trap nets averaged about 9 inches while the gill nets produced an average of about 10 inches. Growth rates were similar to other lakes in the International Falls Management Area. A strong 2010 year class (age 9 at the time of this survey) made up 40% of the sample.

Anglers looking for panfish also have an abundant Bluegill population to target. Shallow trap nets sampled Bluegill from 3 to 8 inches, while the deeper gill nets produced Bluegill from 5 to 9.5 inches. Growth rates were slightly slower than the average International Falls area lake. The maximum age for Bluegill during this survey was 10 years old.

Northern Pike catch rates were the second highest ever recorded for Elephant Lake. The average size was similar to past surveys, which have shown that Elephant Lake has a Northern Pike population with an above average size structure. Length averaged 25 inches and the largest were over 35 inches during this survey. The average weight was just over 4 pounds. Growth rates were faster than the average International Falls area lake. Ages ranged from 2 to 10 years, but a few recent strong year classes made up the majority of the catch.

Equipment failures prevented Smallmouth Bass electrofishing in 2019, which is the preferred method to assess bass populations. However, gill nets sampled enough of these fish to gain some information about the population. Catch rates were average for this type of lake. Sizes ranged from 10 to just over 17 inches and growth was above average for this area. Ages ranged from 4 to 9 years, and the 2015 year class (age 4 at the time of this survey) made up 60% of the sample.

Walleye abundance has fluctuated greatly throughout the history of surveys for Elephant Lake, and experimental stocking on top of the naturally reproducing population has been tried without much success in the past. The 2019 survey produced catch rates within the expected range for this type of lake; however, this is less than what has been historically caught in Elephant Lake. A lack of recent year classes has produced a population of fairly old and large Walleye. Lengths during the survey ranged from 18 to 30.5 inches, and an average Walleye was over 23 inches. Ages ranged from 8 to 17 years, and particularly strong year classes in 2011 and 2006 dominated the catch. There is a good stock of spawning fish in Elephant Lake, but expanding populations of other gamefish may be suppressing recent year classes. MN DNR will continue to monitor the success or failure of new year classes in Elephant Lake and adjust management strategies accordingly.

Yellow Perch are extremely abundant in Elephant Lake, and likely provide the forage base for most of the larger predators. Catch rates in 2019 were well above average for this type of lake. The average size was normal, with lengths ranging from about 5 to 10 inches. Most Yellow Perch were age 4 or younger, however some of the older fish appear to reach sizes that would be of interest to anglers.

Other species caught during this survey include Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, and White Sucker.

What is the average air temp for Elephant Lake?