Bear Lake

How big is Bear Lake?

How deep is Bear Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Bear Lake?

Are there boat launches on Bear Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Bear Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Bear Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Bear 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?

Bear Lake is a 339-acre lake located 20 miles north of Nashwauk, MN in the Little Fork River watershed. The lake has a public access at the DNR State Forest campground on the north shore. The lake management plan lists walleye as the primary management species, with bluegill and black crappie as secondary species. Bear Lake is in ecological lake class 39. Lakes in this classification are small to moderate in size, have a high percentage of littoral area and stained water. Other area lakes in this class include Battle, Otter and Upper Panasa Lakes.

The walleye gill-net catch was similar to the lake class average and the previous assessment at 2.6/net. Size structure was modest with no fish over 20 inches in the sample. Gill-net sampled walleye ranged from 11.1 to 19.8 inches with a mean length of 16.1 inches. Large walleye have seldom been sampled in any assessments. Ages 2-4, 6 and 9 were identified from scales samples, with 91% of fish corresponding to years of fry stocking. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish reaching 16.1 inches at age 5.

Black crappie were sampled within the expected range at 3.6/gill net. Catch rates in the two previous assessments ranged from 0.8 to 3.9/net. Size structure was poor, with the sample primarily made up of age-2 fish. Gill-net sampled crappie ranged from 4.4 to 12.2 inches with a mean length 6.2 inches. Recruitment appeared inconsistent, with ages 2, 6, 8 and 9 identified from scale samples. Growth was similar to the statewide average with crappie averaging 8.1 inches at age 4.

The trap-net catch rate for bluegill was 6.0/net, similar to the lake class median and the previous assessment. Size structure was moderate; sampled bluegill ranged from 3.2 to 9.1 inches with a mean length of 6.7 inches. Ages 2 and 4-9 were represented in the sample. Growth was slower than the lake class average with fish averaging 6.3 inches at age 6.

Northern pike were sampled below the expected range at 1.0/gill net. Catches in previous assessments have varied from 1.0 to 7.0/net, staying below the lake class median in all but one survey. Size structure was poor with only one pike over 20 inches in the gill-net sample. Several pike over 30 inches were sampled in the trap nets however.

The gill-net catch for yellow perch was within the expected range at 10.8/net. Catches in the two previous assessments were 12.3 and 18.8/net. Size structure was relatively poor as only 34% of the sampled perch exceeded 8 inches. Yellow perch ranged from 5.3 to 11.2 inches with a mean length of 7.5 inches. Recruitment appeared consistent with ages 2-9 identified from scale samples. Growth was similar to the statewide average with perch averaging 8.1 inches at age 5.

Other species sampled in test nets included pumpkinseed sunfish and white sucker. Additional sampling with small-mesh seines, back-pack electrofishing and boat electrofishing was conducted as part of a statewide IBI (Index of Biotic Integrity) study. These additional gears often sample fish species not normally captured with traditional test nets. Species encountered with IBI sampling included Iowa darter, Johnny darter, golden shiner, rock bass and largemouth bass.

What is the average air temp for Bear Lake?

Are there any state parks near Bear Lake?