Fall Lake is one of my favorite access points to the Boundary Waters and is rated the #2 fishing lake in Ely Minnesota according to recent MN DNR data. The Northeastern part of the lake is the # 24 entry point into the BWCA and is one of the most popular ways to access Basswood Lake. From Fall to Basswood there are two portages and both allow portage wheels. The first portage is 83 rods from Fall Lake to Newton Lake. The second is 85 rods connecting Newton Lake and Basswood Lake. Both portages are considered easy, but the second leading to Basswood has some elevation which has been named “heart attack hill.” While an easy portage, when pushing a 16’ fishing boat on wheels... the hill becomes much more challenging.
Fall Lake has a dark iron ore tint like many of the lakes in the area. In terms of fishing, Basswood overshadows Fall Lake, but recent lake surveys show Fall Lake yielding 16.7 Walleye per sample while Basswood yielded 15.5. Both are very strong results. While the fish were bigger at Basswood, you may consider spending more time fishing on Fall Lake.
Nick from Packsack Canoe Trips and Log Cabins (The top resort and outfitters on Fall Lake) shared the following history about Fall Lake. The small town of Winton sits at the Southern part of the lake and was originally a logging town. In the early 1900’s Winton housed two lumber mills which logged Basswood Lake. Fall Lake was a large part of that operation. The logs would be transported to Fall Lake and then floated to the lumber mills. Several sets of pilings remain in the water on Fall Lake, these were from the docks that held the trains which brought lumber from Basswood and other lakes. After the logging days, Basswood Lake was a resort and recreation lake. Many resorts lined the shorelines, and islands, many of those places are campsites now. Packsack Canoe Trips & Log Cabins resort once resided on Basswood Lake and was known as Pipestone Resort. Paul Summers who owned Pipestone Resort would pick guests up on Fall Lake in amphibious army duck boats and transport them across the lakes and portages to his resort. Once the provisions of the Wilderness Act in 1964 were enforced, all the resorts on Basswood were forced to shut down. Fall Lake now is one of the premier gateways into the Boundary Water Canoe Wilderness Area.
Fall Lake, Ely MN Basic Information:
What is the Depth of Fall Lake?
Fall Lake is 32' deep.
How Big is Fall Lake?
Fall Lake is 2258 acres. It spans over 5 miles long, and is 0.5 to 1 mile in width.
What kind of Fish Live in Fall Lake?
The major game fish in Fall Lake include: Northern Pike, Small Mouth Bass and Walleye.
A complete list of fish species in Fall Lake include: black crappie, bluegill, burbot, cisco species, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, lake whitefish, northern pike, rock bass, smallmouth bass, tullibee (cisco), walleye, yellow perch, shorthead redhorse, white sucker, logperch.
Is there public boat access to Fall Lake?
There are three public access ramps on Fall Lake at Winton, the Fall Lake Campground, and off of Forest Road.
Where to Stay When Visiting Fall Lake?
Fall Lake Cabins
My favorite way to visit the Ely, MN is to book a VRBO in the area. I enjoy staying on a private property and always make sure that the rental includes a lakeside sauna. For the best up to date listings please visit vrbo.com. At this time Fall Lake has limited VRBO rental cabins. There is only one vrbo on the lake that I would recommend and that is The Boundaries Lake Home but this property does not have a sauna.
Here are some amenities to consider as you decide where to stay:
A Sauna is a staple in northern Minnesota, but not every cabin or resort provides this. The sauna cold plunge is becoming a popular trend for spas and high-end resorts around the country. In Ely, MN the sauna cold plunge is a way of life. When booking your rental, make sure a lakeside sauna is included.
Swimming Beaches are especially nice for families with children. Some lakes are very rocky with steep drop-offs. Picking a lodging option with a sandy beach and a gradual drop-off may be the best option for families.
Boating is essential to enjoying the lakes. Some cabins offer canoes or kayaks, but most do not offer motor boat rentals. The resorts in the area typically have rental options for their customers. Making sure you have the right boating accommodations may be just as important as choosing the right cabin.
Packsack is a full-service family operated BWCA outfitters and resort complete with boat rentals. They are known for their friendly staff and helpful outfitting services. They know the secrets of Fall, Basswood and many other lakes in the BWCA. Their guests experience a prime Boundary Water Experience, which include sharing some of the best fishing spots in the BWCA.
The Packsack resort consists of three Lincoln Log style rental cabins. The cabins once resided on shores of Pipestone Bay on Basswood. The cabins were moved in the 1960’s after the Wilderness Act forced the resorts in the BWCA to move their operation out of the wilderness area. The cabins are furnished with the basic amenities. They have a rustic outdoor cabin vibe that serves many people well. But if you are looking for luxury and modern amenities, I suggest looking for an alternate lodging option. Overall, Packsack Canoe Trips and Log Cabins offers an incredible Boundary Waters experience from outfitting to lodging that will leave you with memories for a lifetime.
Fall Lake Campground in Ely, Minnesota, provides a tranquil camping experience within the Superior National Forest. Offering a range of camping options from primitive sites to those with electrical hookups, it caters to various outdoor enthusiasts, whether in tents, RVs, or trailers. With picturesque views of Fall Lake, campers can explore some of the best fishing, boating, and other water activities in the state. Hiking trails meander through the surrounding forest, with frequent wildlife encounters adding to the allure. Amenities such as clean restroom facilities, picnic areas, a swimming beach, canoe rentals, hiking trails and a convenient boat ramp make this a great place to park your camper.
The campground is conveniently located near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), Ely, and Kawishiwi Falls. Adventure-seekers can easily venture into the BWCA for one of my favorite canoeing day trips to Pipestone Falls. Meanwhile, the nearby town of Ely offers convenient access to shops, dining, and cultural attractions, enriching the camping experience. Kawishiwi Falls, with its majestic cascades, presents another nearby attraction for visitors to enjoy. Fall Lake Campground is an ideal destination for campers who desire to explore the BWCA but have all the amenities a campground can offer.
Fall Lake Fishing Report:
Fall Lake is an excellent fishery. Recent DNR lake surveys show that Fall Lake is the one of the best places to fish in the state of Minnesota. Lake of the Woods is considered by many blogs to be the best for Walleyes in Minnesota, but Fall Lake boasts better lake survey numbers than even Lake of the Woods. Fall Lake yielded 16.7 Walleyes per Gill Net while Lake of the Woods yielded around 13 Walleyes per Gill Net. But while Fall Lake produces an excellent quantity of fish, surveys show that the lake’s fish population is on the small size. Even though the surveys show fish on the smaller side, anglers catch some big fish come out of Fall Lake.
Things to Do Near Fall Lake:
Hiking near Fall Lake:
One of the best hikes in the area is the Kawishiwi Falls trail. The trail is an easy and short 1 mile loop to the falls. People of all ages enjoy the trail and the scenic overlook of the Kawishiwi Falls. The trailhead is located off the Fernberg Road between Fall Lake and Garden Lake.
Canoeing or Kayaking Fall Lake:
Canoeing or kayaking day trips visiting multiple lakes is one of my personal favorites. One of my favorite paddling routes is a day trip to Pipestone Falls in the Boundary Waters. In order to enter the BWCA for the day, you will need to fill out a free self-issued permit which is available at the # 24 entry point. There are two 80 rod portages, the first from Fall to Newton Lake and the second from Newton to Basswood Lake across the Pipestone Falls.
Visit Ely, MN:
It almost does not need to be said, but Ely is very close to the lake and is a fun place to visit. There are charming shops, restaurants, and wildlife exhibits. Spending time in town is always fun and enjoyable and Fall Lake is a stone’s throw away.
References
Fisheries, M. a. (2024, January 26). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved from LakeFinder: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/index.html