Burntside Lake Fishing
St. Louis County, 7,314 acres, 126 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Gerg~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5
First look at Burntside Lake
The DNR lists Burntside Lake as a lake covering 7,314 acres in St. Louis County. Soundings put the deepest water at 126 feet, with an average of 44.9 feet. About 81% of the lake, 5,911 acres, is under 15 feet deep. About 6 miles separate the lake from Ely. Surveys come from the Tower area fisheries office.
DNR surveys have recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and smallmouth bass. Anglers launch from 5 public water accesses. The newest catch data come from a standard survey on July 22, 2024. The DNR ice-out median is April 30 (88 records).
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Fish counts from the last Burntside Lake survey
These rows come from the standard survey on July 22, 2024; the normal range is the DNR range for lakes of the same class.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.07 | 0.9-1.9 | 1 | 0.9-1.3 |
| Walleye | Shallow gill nets | 34 | 2.83 | 1.88 | ||
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 7 | 0.47 | 2.54 | ||
| Northern pike | Shallow gill nets | 36 | 3 | 2.73 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.13 | 2.2-8.5 | 0.15 | 0.2-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Small-mesh gill nets | 2 | 0.17 | 0.01 | ||
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 8 | 0.53 | 1.3-2.6 | 0.42 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Black crappie | Shallow gill nets | 2 | 0.17 | 0.21 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 79 | 5.27 | 6.8-33.1 | 0.23 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Shallow gill nets | 1 | 0.08 | 0.09 | ||
| Smallmouth bass | Standard trap nets | 9 | 0.6 | 0.1-0.3 | 0.38 | 0.5-0.8 |
| Smallmouth bass | Shallow gill nets | 17 | 1.42 | 2.78 |
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
The Burntside Lake fishery in the DNR report
“Burntside Lake is located northwest of Ely and has five public motorboat accesses as well as a number of portage and water route connections to other nearby lakes.”
“It is a 7,314-acre lake with a maximum depth of 126 feet and clear water.”
“There are several relatively minor inlets, located mostly on the north side of the lake, and the outlet is the Shagawa River, which flows out of the southwest corner of the lake where it then turns and heads east to Shagawa Lake.”
“Unfortunately, the fish community is affected by two non-native invasive species, rainbow smelt and spiny water flea.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Burntside Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Where trailers back down on Burntside Lake
- Burntside Lake (N) Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, U.S. Forest Service
- Burntside Lake (NE) Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Burntside Lake (S) Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Burntside Lake, Co Rd 404 Access1 ramp, 20 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Burntside Lake, Co Rd 88 Access1 ramp, 1 dock, St. Louis County
Accesses a short drive from Burntside Lake
- Minister Lake AccessMinister, 3 miles east
- Hanson Lake Access near ElyHanson, 3 miles northeast
- Shagawa Lake (NW) AccessShagawa, 3 miles southeast
- Slim Lake AccessSlim, 4 miles north
- Everett Lake AccessEverett, 4 miles northeast
- Burntside River AccessBurntside River, 4 miles southwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Depth and shape of Burntside Lake
Since 2006, 26 Secchi readings have been recorded on Burntside Lake.
The earliest ice-out on record for Burntside Lake came March 28, 2012; the latest, May 22, 1950.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Burntside Lake elevation
The Burntside Lake level history is a DNR volunteer gauge series, not a live feed.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish on record for Burntside Lake
Species for Burntside Lake come from DNR survey nets, so small or rare fish may be missing.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Bag and size limits on Burntside Lake
The statewide table below is every limit that applies on Burntside Lake.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 over 40" in possession, all from 30-40" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 northern pike over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 8, 2026 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Map position places Burntside Lake in the Northeast Zone for pike and bass.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Burntside Lake compared with its neighbors
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burntside Lake | 7,314 | 126 | 5 | 2.83 | |
| Chant Lake | under a mile north | 16 | 37 | 0 | |
| Shipman Bass Lake | 1 mile northeast | 37 | 34 | 0 | |
| West Twin Lake near Ely, St. Louis County | 2 miles northeast | 80 | 22 | 1 | 0.8 |
| Minister Lake | 3 miles east | 56 | 16 | 1 | 5 |
| East Twin Lake near Ely, St. Louis County | 3 miles northeast | 123 | 22 | 0 | 0.22 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Close by Burntside Lake
Lakes a short haul from Burntside Lake
- Chant Lakeunder a mile north
- Shipman Bass Lake1 mile northeast
- West Twin Lake near Ely, St. Louis County2 miles northeast
- Minister Lake3 miles east
- East Twin Lake near Ely, St. Louis County3 miles northeast
Bait counters serving Burntside Lake
- Babes Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Ely, 5 miles
- Piragis Outfitterssporting goods store, Ely, 6 miles
- The Great Outdoorssporting goods store, Ely, 6 miles
- Skube's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Ely, 7 miles
- Voyageur North Outfitterssporting goods store, Ely, 7 miles
- Spirit of the Wildernessfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Ely, 7 miles
Places to bunk near Burntside Lake
- Ely6 miles
- Winton8 miles
- Soudan15 miles
Minnesota counties sharing Burntside Lake
- St. Louis Countyseat: Duluth
Spinning and baitcasting picks for Burntside Lake
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Species in the nets at Burntside Lake
Photo: ASprigOfFig at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Photo: Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Duane Raver, Public domain
Answers before you launch on Burntside Lake
Where does Burntside Lake sit on a Minnesota map?
The lake point falls in St. Louis County, managed from the Tower fisheries office, about 6 miles from Ely.
What acreage does LakeFinder give Burntside Lake?
7,314 surface acres, 126 feet at the deepest.
Where is the public access on Burntside Lake?
The DNR layer lists 5 public accesses; Burntside Lake (NE) Access is a good start.
Is Burntside Lake a good panfish lake?
walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass and lake whitefish, per DNR surveys.
Is Burntside Lake above normal for walleye?
A standard survey on July 22, 2024; walleye ran 2.83 per shallow gill net.
Is Burntside Lake under experimental regulations?
Statewide limits, Northeast Zone.
Do I need a Minnesota license for Burntside Lake?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
When does Burntside Lake freeze and thaw?
Around April 30 in most years; May 12, 2022 last time.
Where can I buy minnows near Burntside Lake?
Closest on our list: Babes Bait & Tackle, 5 miles.
Hook up the trailer for Burntside Lake
The license page lists every Minnesota limit.