Bowstring Lake

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What kind of fish can you catch in Bowstring Lake?

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

Bowstring Lake

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What aquatic invasive species are found in Bowstring Lake?

Bowstring Lake is a productive, shallow, 9,220 acre lake located 12 miles northwest of Deer River, MN. The lake has four public accesses and moderate shoreline development. The 2015 lake management plan (LMP) indicates Walleye and Black Crappie as the primary species of management because they are well-suited to the lake and popular with anglers. Northern Pike and Yellow Perch were considered secondary species for management because they also were suited to the lake, though pike size structure is poor and perch size structure is variable. The LMP goals were to maintain a catch of 8.3 Walleye/gill net, reduce the pike catch to 5.0/gill net, and maintain a catch of 3.0 Black Crappie/gill net.

In the spring of 2007, a special Northern Pike regulation was implemented that required all fish from 22 to 36 inches to be released and only one fish over 36 inches could be possessed. The regulation also had an expanded bag limit of nine fish. In the spring of 2017, the regulation was rescinded and Bowstring moved into the North-central zone regulation for pike (10 fish bag limit, 22 to 26 protected slot with only two over 26 inches).

The targeted survey in August of 2021 was conducted to assess the fish community, with an emphasis on Northern Pike and Walleye management. The survey was the first since Zebra Mussels were found in Bowstring. A total of 15 gill-nets were set during the survey.

Black Crappie catch rates have been variable since 1957, ranging from 0.3 to 9.2 fish/gill net. The catch of 3.4/net in 2021 was average for the lake and above the LMP goal. The sampled fish ranged from 4.3 to 12.2 inches and averaged 8.1 inches. Six age-classes were identified by scale analysis with fish from age 1 to 7 represented. Growth was comparable to other lakes with similar habitat to Bowstring. Crappie likely provide good fishing when a strong year-class grows to a size angler's desire.

Bowstring Lake a history of high pike catches with poor size structures. Northern Pike catches have ranged from 5.7 to 15.8 fish/net since 1957. Catches in the prior three surveys were the lowest on record but the catch of 15.6 fish/gill net in 2021 approached the record high. The catch also was nowhere near meeting the management goal of 5.0 fish/gill net. Lower pike populations are desirable because they have better growth, average size, and have less influence on prey within the fish community than high pike populations. The 2021 sampled fish ranged from 14.1 to 32.1 inches and averaged 18.6 inches. Only 9% of the sampled fish were longer than 21 inches. Unfortunately, neither of the regulations since 2007 appear to have made appreciable gains in pike size structure.

Bowstring Lake has a long history of having a good Walleye fishery maintained by natural reproduction. Walleye catches have ranged from 3.5 to 22.6/net since 1957. The 2021 catch of 10.2 Walleye/net exceeded the management goal of 8.3 fish/net. The sampled fish ranged from 7.7 to 24.0 inches and averaged 14.2 inches. Thirteen age-classes were estimated from bony structures like scales and otoliths (an inner-ear bone) and fish from age 0 to 14 were found. Recruitment appeared good; age-2 fish represented 36% of the sample while another six age-classes represented from 8 to 11% each. Growth was similar to statewide averages for all ages. Walleye averaged 14.6 inches after four years of growth.

Walleye stocking was discontinued in 1991 because natural reproduction had long been considered an important component of the population. Five of the six highest Walleye catches have occurred since stocking was discontinued. Frequent fall electrofishing surveys for young-of-the-year Walleye since 1995 has also documented consistent natural reproduction. Continued electrofishing for young Walleye may be an important tool to monitor the population and changing habitat now that Zebra Mussels are established.

The Yellow Perch population in Bowstring Lake has produced a quality fishery at times. Gill-net catches have fluctuated from a low of 7.8 fish/net in 2021 to a high of 59.0 fish/net in 1980. The record low catch in 2021 reflects declining trends observed throughout the state from 1970 to 2013. There is also some evidence the declining trends in gill-net catches is related to perch maturing at earlier ages than before, resulting in smaller size distributions that are less vulnerable to be captured in the gear. The low perch catches also correspond to high Walleye catches and near record high pike catches in Bowstring. High predator numbers may be directly effecting perch catches because of predation (actually fewer perch) or indirectly by the predation creating a response for perch to mature earlier, resulting in slower growth so the smaller perch are less catchable. The 2021 sampled fish ranged from 5.1 to 11.9 inches and averaged 6.9 inches. Additional research should help us better understand these complex ecosystems.

Other species observed during the targeted survey included Bluegill, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, Tullibee and White Sucker.

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Are there any state parks near Bowstring Lake?