Minnesota · DNR survey data

Black Bear Lake

Black Bear Lake covers 218 acres in Crow Wing County, running to 48 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2023. 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.

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DNR survey data

Fish species

Species
How many
Survey numbers
Lengths
Walleye
Just a few
0.3per gill net
Typical
23"Biggest
Largemouth bass
Good numbers
51.8per hr (electrofishing)
12"Typical
16"Biggest
5"16"

Lengths measured · 101 fish

Recent · 2023
2"5"10"15"20"

Lengths measured · 101 fish

2023
2"5"10"15"20"

Lengths measured · 143 fish

2010
2"5"10"15"20"

Lengths measured · 6 fish

1998
2"5"10"15"20"

Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.

Northern pike
Just a few
3.2per gill net
19"Typical
35"Biggest
13"35"

Lengths measured · 23 fish

Recent · 2023
10"15"20"25"30"35"

Lengths measured · 23 fish

2023
10"15"20"25"30"35"

Lengths measured · 26 fish

2010
10"15"20"25"30"35"

Lengths measured · 36 fish

1998
10"15"20"25"30"35"
Bluegill
Just a few
12.9per trap net
4"Typical
8"Biggest
2"8"

Lengths measured · 118 fish

Recent · 2023
1"2"4"6"8"

Lengths measured · 118 fish

2023
1"2"4"6"8"

Lengths measured · 104 fish

2010
1"2"4"6"8"

Lengths measured · 184 fish

1998
1"2"4"6"8"
Crappie
Just a few
0.4per trap net
Typical
10"Biggest
Yellow perch
Present
1.3per hr (electrofishing)
7"Typical
10"Biggest
6"10"

Lengths measured · 18 fish

Recent · 2023
5"6"8"10"12"

Lengths measured · 18 fish

2023
5"6"8"10"12"

Lengths measured · 6 fish

2010
5"6"8"10"12"

Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.

Lengths measured · 29 fish

1998
5"6"8"10"12"
Rock bass
Good numbers
0.8per trap net
Typical
9"Biggest

Rates 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.

Recent reports

Black Bear Lake fishing reports

Recent reports on Black 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.

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Crow Wing County reports

Public water access

Getting on the water

Within 30 miles

Nearby lakes

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is there a depth map for Black Bear Lake?

The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Black Bear Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.

What fish are in Black Bear Lake?

The most recent DNR survey (2023) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.

Does Black Bear Lake have a public access?

Yes. Black Bear Lake has one public access site: Black Bear Lake (trailer launch).

Is Black Bear Lake stocked?

No stocking is on record for Black Bear Lake in the DNR's stocking database.

When was Black Bear Lake last surveyed?

The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Black Bear Lake in 2023, the most recent of 5 surveys on record.

Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →

Page updated .