Little Bowstring Lake

How big is Little Bowstring Lake?

How deep is Little Bowstring Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Little Bowstring Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Little Bowstring 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 Little Bowstring Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Little Bowstring Lake

Are there boat launches on Little Bowstring Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Little Bowstring Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Little Bowstring Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Little Bowstring 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?

Little Bowstring is located about twelve miles north of Deer River, MN, within the Chippewa National Forest, and the Big Fork River watershed. The 319 acre lake has 115 littoral acres, a maximum depth of 33 feet and a little more than three miles of shoreline. The lake has three small inlets, from Pike Lake, Maki Lake, and Grave Lake with one outlet to the Bowstring River. Secchi disk transparency was 4.5 feet in 2015 and the lake is considered to have moderate fertility and hardness. All of the shoreline is in private ownership and moderately developed. There is one county owned public access on the south shore. Walleye and Bluegill are primary management species with a management goal of 7.0/net for Walleye and a Bluegill summer trap net catch of 5.0/net with PSD and RSD-8 values of 40 and 20. Northern Pike and Black Crappie are secondary management species.

The 2015 standard survey is the most recent and one of nine summer assessments conducted since 1971. Summer assessments are conducted to monitor the fish community for changes in catch rates, size structure, and growth rates. Pike River strain Walleye fry are stocked biennially in odd years at a rate of 1,000/surface acres (319,000). The lake management plan was last updated in 2009.

The Walleye population appears to be healthy with the 2015 catch exceeding what was expected for lakes similar to Little Bowstring. Similarly, higher than average catches had been observed in the past two assessments and above the management goal. Lengths ranged from 9.7 to 27.1 inches and an average length of 17.6 inches. Analysis of ageing structures indicated the majority of the sample correlated with stocked year classes. Fry stocking appears to be successful and a significant contributor to the fishery. Growth was average as Walleye were 16.3 inches by age 5.

Summer assessments have typically sampled Bluegill in low numbers with trap net catch rates below the probable range in all but the 2008 assessment which was only slightly within a projected range. The catch rate was 3.0/trap net in 2015, near management goals. Lengths ranged from 3.0 to 8.9 inches with an average length of 7.2 inches, similar to previous assessments. A more comprehensive survey was conducted in the spring of 2015 specifically targeting Bluegill.

Black Crappie were sampled in trap nets at an likely rate, and similar to previous assessments. Black Crappie were also sampled in gill nets at a historically high rate, nearly triple of what was expected. Lengths from the gill net sample ranged from 4.2 to 13.9 inches with fish less than five inches the most frequently sampled (73%). Scale analysis identified ages 1-4, 7, and 8 present, with age-1 most common. Growth was similar to the statewide average for age 1-4 fish. Growth from fish caught in the spring (2015) exceeded statewide averages.

Northern Pike were sampled near the high end of a predictable range and the previous assessment. Past catch rates tended to be variable but had an increasing trend. Size structure was poor with lengths from 14.2 to 25.8 inches and an average length of 19.8 inches. Scale and cleithera analysis identified ages 1-6 present. Ages 2 and 3 were the most common in the sample. Growth was similar to the statewide average for all ages. Northern Pike averaged 20.9 inches by age 4.

Tullibee were sampled at a rate of 1.3/gill net, within the anticipated range of catch rates. Lengths ranged from 8.0 to 17.3 inches with an average length of 11.7 inches. Triaenophorus, an internal parasitic worm, was not found in examinations of 12 Tullibee. Yellow Perch were sampled within the range of expected catch rates, yet down from the previous assessment. Lengths ranged from 5.2 to 12.8 inches with an average length of 6.3 inches, suggesting Yellow Perch may be of interest to anglers.

Other species sampled Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

What is the average air temp for Little Bowstring Lake?

Are there any state parks near Little Bowstring Lake?