Bear Head Lake

How big is Bear Head Lake?

How deep is Bear Head Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Bear Head Lake?

What are the closest cities to Bear Head Lake?

Are there boat launches on Bear Head Lake?

Bear Head Lake area businesses:

Are there places to eat and drink near Bear Head Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Bear Head Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Bear Head 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 Head Lake, located about 15 miles east of Tower, MN (by vehicle), is contained entirely within Bear Head Lake State Park. The park requires a Minnesota State Parks permit to enter and the lake is accessed via a public concrete ramp near the state park campground on the northwest bay. Bear Head Lake covers an area of 674 acres and has a mean depth of 12 feet and maximum depth of 46 feet. The water quality is generally considered good compared to other lakes in the area. Aside from the campground area, the shoreline is completely undeveloped (i.e., no houses or cabins) with areas of sand, gravel, silt, boulder, rubble, and ledge rock substrates. Additionally, coarse woody debris and aquatic vegetation in certain areas of the lake provide habitat for specific fish species. Minnesota residents are exempt from purchasing a Minnesota Angling License for angling or retaining fish caught while angling on Bear Head Lake (following Minnesota fishing regulations as of 2014) since the lake is completely encompassed within state park boundaries. Additionally, there is a 10 mph speed limit for motorized watercraft operating on the lake. Bear Head Lake provides an ideal setting for fishing (pier present), camping, canoeing, kayaking, swimming (designated beach present), hiking and various other outdoor activities. A total of eight different fish species were sampled during standard population assessments using gill nets and trap nets in 2013: bluegill, walleye, northern pike, black crappie, yellow perch, white sucker, largemouth bass, and pumpkinseed. Gill net catches consisted primarily of walleye and northern pike and trap net catches were dominated by bluegill. These species present excellent fishing opportunities on Bear Head Lake. The 2013 bluegill catch rate of 22.3 fish/trap net was average compared to the catch rates observed from 1995 to 2011 (average=22.0 fish/trap net). However, the catches are in the top 75% for this lake class. Bluegill lengths ranged from 4 to 8 inches and averaged about 6 inches. Bluegill growth was slow, falling in the bottom 25% of Tower area lakes. The walleye catch rate of 8.1 fish/gill net was similar to the 2008 catch rate of 9.0 fish/gill net and slightly higher than catches from 1993-2004. The average length was 14 inches and most walleye sampled were age-4 or less. The largest walleye sampled was 26 inches long and about 11 years old. Growth was below average when compared to other lakes in the Tower Fisheries Management area. Approximately 350,000 walleye fry have been stocked in odd numbered years since 1981, but there is also natural reproduction by walleye in the lake. The northern pike catch rate of 4.4 fish/gill net is slightly lower than the catch of 5.7 fish/gill net in 2008, but falls within the 1.4-5.7 fish/gill net range observed in 5 previous samples from 1993-2008. The catch rate was in the top 75% for this lake class. The average length of pike captured was 22 inches and the largest fish was 34 inches. Black crappie catch rates of 3.3 fish/trap net in 2013 were in the top 75% for all Class 7 lakes. The recent catch rate was the highest observed from the most recent 6 samples taken from 2004-2013. Black crappie ranged in length from 4 to 12 inches and on average were 7 inches. As is typical with black crappie, most fish came from one year class: 78% were 3 years old and about 7-8 inches long. A total of 9 largemouth bass were sampled ranging in size up to 16 inches. The average size bass was about 12 inches. Bass are likely more abundant than net catches reflect because they are better sampled with electrofishing.

What is the average air temp for Bear Head Lake?

Are there any state parks near Bear Head Lake?