Elk Lake is a lake in Clay County, Iowa. Its water-quality measurements are published by Iowa DNR and shown on this page as reported.

How deep is Elk Lake?

Elk Lake has a maximum depth of 5 feet. The lake covers 256 acres.

Are there boat ramps on Elk Lake?

Elk Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Elk Lake Wetland Complex. Public access is listed as yes.

Can I fish at Elk Lake?

Elk Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Iowa's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.

Elk Lake

Clay County, Iowa256 acresView map Directions

No nutrient or algae sampling on record from Iowa DNR for this lake.

Max depth

5 ft

Bathymetric survey

Area

256 acres

Surface area

Shoreline

3 mi

Measured length

Impaired · Algal growth
5 ft max depth
Public access

See the measurements Directions Where to stay

Elk Lake in Clay County, Iowa has water-quality measurements published by Iowa DNR, shown here as reported. Maximum depth: 5 ft. Surface area: 256 acres.

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Elk Lake is a 256-acre lake in Clay County, Iowa with a maximum depth of 5 feet. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Iowa DNR. Methodology: how these readings are compared.

What Elk Lake is good for

From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.

Boat launch1 documented ramp

Swimming conditions

No reading

Not rated

Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Elk Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for algal growth, pH / acidity, turbidity. Check local advisories before you swim.

Whether Elk Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.

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Water quality measurements for Elk Lake

These are the measurements Iowa DNR publishes for Elk Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.

No clarity data. TSI undefined.

Ask about Elk Lake

Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.

Lake Details

Max depth

5 ft

Surface area

256 acres

Shoreline

3 mi

Public access

Yes

Listed by Iowa DNR

The depth above comes from a bathymetric survey of this lake, not from a regional estimate.

Recreation & Access

Boat Landings

Yes

Public Access

Elk Lake Wetland ComplexPublic

Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps

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Stays near Elk Lake

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Elk Lake in Clay County, Iowa — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.

Top-rated places to stay near Elk Lake

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Fishing Elk Lake

→ Elk Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

EPA Impairment Status

Elk Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

Algal growthpH / acidityTurbidity

Designated uses not supporting: Aquatic life.

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit IA 06-LSR-1629 · Official waterbody report

Nearby Lakes in Clay County

Round Lake6.4 miView →Mud Lake7.3 miView →Trumbull Lake7.8 miView →Dan Green Slough—View →Stolley Pit Lake2.7 ft clear · Eutrophic—View →

Frequently asked questions about Elk Lake

Where is Elk Lake?: Elk Lake is a lake in Clay County, Iowa. Its water-quality measurements are published by Iowa DNR and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Elk Lake?: Elk Lake in Clay County, Iowa has water-quality measurements published by Iowa DNR, shown here as reported. Maximum depth: 5 ft. Surface area: 256 acres.
Is Elk Lake safe to swim in?: Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Elk Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for algal growth, pH / acidity, turbidity. Check local advisories before you swim.
How deep is Elk Lake?: Elk Lake has a maximum depth of 5 feet. The lake covers 256 acres.
Are there boat ramps on Elk Lake?: Elk Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Elk Lake Wetland Complex. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Elk Lake?: Elk Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Iowa's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.