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The lake is located in the Chippewa National Forest and is surrounded by a mix of hardwood and coniferous forests, providing a scenic backdrop for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife watching.
Bowstring Lake offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, and jet skiing. The lake has several public boat launches and a marina, making it easy for visitors to access the water.
There are several resorts, campgrounds, and vacation homes located around Bowstring Lake, making it a popular destination for families, couples, and groups of friends. The area also offers numerous dining options and other tourist attractions, including museums and historical sites.
In the winter, the lake offers ice fishing and snowmobiling opportunities, and there are several snowmobile trails located nearby, including the Bowstring Trail, which runs for over 100 miles through the Chippewa National Forest.
Overall, Bowstring Lake is a scenic and peaceful destination that offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation, making it a popular choice for vacationers looking for a quieter, more secluded getaway.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bowstring Lake, MN
- How big is Bowstring Lake?
- How deep is Bowstring Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Bowstring Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Bowstring Lake area?
- Are there topographical lake maps available Bowstring Lake?
- Are there boat launches on Bowstring Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Bowstring Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Bowstring Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Bowstring Lake?
How big is Bowstring Lake?
How deep is Bowstring Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Bowstring Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Cisco (Tullibee), Common Shiner, Golden Redhorse, Hybrid Sunfish, Lake Whitefish, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, Tadpole Madtom and White Sucker.
Are there places to stay in the Bowstring Lake area?
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Are there topographical lake maps available Bowstring Lake?
Are there boat launches on Bowstring Lake?
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Are there places to eat and drink near Bowstring Lake?
Explore the Bowstring Lake area in a RV
Are you looking for an adventurous vacation option that won't break the bank? Look no further than renting an RV! Contrary to popular belief, the process is much simpler than you might imagine. With just a few easy steps, you'll soon be experiencing the ultimate freedom and convenience of exploring the open road in your very own recreational vehicle. And the best part? RV travel can save you up to 60% compared to other types of vacations! With the money you'll save, you'll be able to travel even more and create unforgettable memories along the way. So why wait? Start planning your next adventure today with an RV rental. Learn more about renting a RV.
What aquatic invasive species are found in Bowstring Lake?
Join us in the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species These sneaky creatures can hitch a ride on boats, clinging onto propellers, anchor lines, and trailers. They can even survive in hidden places like bilge water and ballast tanks, or disguise themselves in dirt and sand that sticks to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. But don't worry, we have the power to stop them in their tracks with just a few simple steps. So let's do our part and protect our waters from these unwanted invaders.
History & Status of the Fishery
Bowstring Lake is a class 22 lake located 12 miles northwest of Deer River, MN. The lake has four public accesses and moderate shoreline development. The 2009 lake management plan indicates Walleye and Black Crappie as the primary species of management with Northern Pike and Yellow Perch as secondary species. In the spring of 2007 a special Northern Pike regulation was implemented that require all fish from 22 to 36 inches to be released and only one fish over 36 inches could be possessed. The regulation also has an expanded bag limit of nine fish.
Black Crappie catch rates were above normal for trap nets and gill nets in 2014. Black Crappie were captured at a rate of 3.9/trap net and 8.5/gill net. Gill nets sampled smaller fish than the trap nets. The gill net sample fish ranged from 4.1 to 10.8 inches and averaged 6.2 inches compared to the fish sampled by trap nets that ranged from 5.5 to 11.3 inches and averaged 9.9 inches. Five age classes were identified by scale analysis with fish from 1 to 5 years old represented. Growth was similar to other class 22 lakes. Fish averaged 9.5 inches after four years of growth.
Northern Pike gill-net catch rates have ranged from 5.7 to 15.8 fish/gill net since 1957. The catches in the last three assessments have been the lowest on record. The catch of 7.4 fish/gill net in 2014 was below the 3rd quartile but did not meet the management goal of 5.0 fish/gill net. The sampled fish ranged from 13.4 to 26.6 inches and averaged 18.9 inches. Eight year-classes were identified from cliethra and scales ranging from 1 to 8 years old. Two and three year old fish represented 24 and 44% of the sample. Northern Pike averaged 20.2 inches after four years of growth which was near the statewide average of 20.5.
Walleye catch rates have fluctuated from 3.5 to 15.0/gill net from 1957 to 2008 and have been near or above the 3rd quartile value of 9.6 since 1988. The record high Walleye catch of 22.6/gill net exceeded the management goal of 7.5 fish/net in 2014. The sampled Walleye ranged from 3.4 to 25.1 inches and averaged 11.3 inches. Thirteen year-classes were identified from scale, opercle, and otolith analysis with fish from 0 to 14 years old. The sample was dominated by small and young fish. Age-1 and age-2 Walleye represented 40 and 29% of the sample. Growth was similar to statewide averages for all ages up to nine years old. Walleye averaged 14.5 inches after four years of growth.
Walleye stocking was discontinued after 1991 because natural reproduction had long been considered an important component of the population. Walleye catches have continued to be excellent since 1991; including the two highest catches on record. Nearly annual fall electrofishing for young-of-the-year Walleye since 1995 has also documented consistent natural reproduction.
Yellow Perch gill-net catch rates have fluctuated from a low of 14.4 fish/net in 2008 to a high of 59.0 fish/net in 1980. In 2014, the catch was 17.3 and near the lake class median of 17.1 fish/gill net. The sampled fish ranged from 4.8 to 11.0 inches and averaged 7.5 inches. Age and growth information was not collected in this assessment.
Other species observed during the population assessment included Bluegill, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, Tullibee and White Sucker.
In order to maintain or improve fish and wildlife populations, water quality and habitat must be protected. People often associate water quality problems with large-scale agricultural, forestry, urban development or industrial practices in the watershed. In reality, the impact of land use decisions on one lake lot may be relatively small, yet the cumulative impact of those decisions on many lake lots can result in a significant decline in water quality and habitat. For example, removing shoreline and aquatic vegetation, fertilizing lawns, mowing to the water's edge, installing beach sand blankets, failing septic systems and uncontrolled run-off, all contribute excess nutrients and sediment which degrade water quality and habitat. Understanding these cumulative impacts and taking steps to avoid or minimize them will help to insure our quality fisheries can be enjoyed by future generations.
What is the average air temp for Bowstring Lake?
Are there any state parks near Bowstring Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
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More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Bowstring Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Portage Lake | 3.2 mi | 714 | 60 ft |
| Little Jessie Lake | 4.7 mi | 628 | 50 ft |
| Jessie Lake | 5.7 mi | 1,740 | 42 ft |
| Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake | 5.8 mi | 619 | 20 ft |
| Bird's Eye Lake | 5.8 mi | 80 | 50 ft |
| Sand Lake | 6.1 mi | 3,575 | 70 ft |
| Rush Island Lake | 6.4 mi | 297 | 32 ft |
| Little Spring Lake | 6.6 mi | 136 | 10 ft |
| Bass Lake | 7.0 mi | 93 | 25 ft |
| Cedar Lake | 7.7 mi | 178 | 45 ft |
