Bear Island Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

69011500

County

St. Louis

Surface area

2,362 acres

Maximum depth

62 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

879 acres, 37% of the lake

Shoreline

28.5 miles

Average water clarity

8.2 feet (Secchi disk, 6 readings)

Latest DNR fish survey

July 2025, targeted survey

Surveys on record

16, since 1980

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, northern sunfish, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, and 14 other species

Stocked in 2025

walleye fry (900,000)

Stocked in 2023

walleye fry (900,000)

Stocked in 2021

walleye fry (900,000)

Stocking years on record

5 of the last 10 (2017 to 2025)

Bear Island Lake (NE) Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, gravel ramp, 3 trailer spaces, run by St. Louis County

Bear Island Lake (S) Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 10 trailer spaces, run by St. Louis County

Bear Island Lake (NE) Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 3 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Fish consumption

Follow the northeast guidelines; fish from this lake have been tested

Size

2,000 acres or more

Deepest point

60 feet or more

Public access

Yes

Stocked in the last 3 years

Yes

Sources

• Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites
  Checked September 24, 2026

Survey catches show what DNR nets and electrofishing found on the survey date, not how the fishing is today. Check the current regulations and the Department of Health advice before you keep fish, and confirm access conditions before you tow a boat.