Minnesota · DNR survey data
Bear Lake
Bear Lake covers 100 acres in Carlton County, running to 31 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2015. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassFair numbers29per hr (electrofishing)14"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 50 fish
Recent · 2015Lengths measured · 50 fish
2015Lengths measured · 42 fish
2007Lengths measured · 102 fish
1997Northern pikeFair numbers7per gill net20"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 25 fish
Recent · 2015Lengths measured · 25 fish
2015Lengths measured · 28 fish
2007Lengths measured · 25 fish
1997BluegillJust a few15.5per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 186 fish
Recent · 2015Lengths measured · 186 fish
2015Lengths measured · 247 fish
2007Lengths measured · 131 fish
1997CrappieJust a few4.7per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 69 fish
Recent · 2015Lengths measured · 69 fish
2015Lengths measured · 109 fish
2007Lengths measured · 38 fish
1997Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 1,584 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 2,047 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 1,367 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,848 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 1,757 fingerlings |
Recent reports
Bear Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Bear Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Bear Lake (trailer launch)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Little Hanging Horn Lake · 114 ac · 1.1 mi
- Hanging Horn Lake · 409 ac · 1.6 mi
- Moose Lake · 133 ac · 4.8 mi
- Moosehead Lake · 279 ac · 5.2 mi
- Echo Lake · 108 ac · 5.6 mi
- Hizer Lake · 34 ac · 6.3 mi
- Sand Lake · 128 ac · 6.4 mi
- Island Lake · 527 ac · 7.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Bear Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Bear Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Bear Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2015) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Does Bear Lake have a public access?
Yes. Bear Lake has one public access site: Bear Lake (trailer launch).
Is Bear Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
When was Bear Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Bear Lake in 2015, the most recent of 3 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .