Walleye lake, Northern pike lake, Bass lake, Crappie lake, Sunfish lake

Bear Lake

Public accessStocked 2024

Bear Lake is a 344-acre lake in Itasca County, 16 feet at its deepest. The DNR last surveyed its fish in 2025. Recorded species include walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass and crappie.

Details

DNR lake ID
31015700
County
Itasca
Surface area
344 acres
Maximum depth
16 feet
Shallow water (littoral) area
268 acres, 78% of the lake
Shoreline
3.0 miles
Average water clarity
3.7 feet (Secchi disk, 3 readings)
Nearest town (DNR)
Nashwauk
Latest DNR fish survey
July 2025, targeted survey
Surveys on record
13, since 1951
Game fish caught in the 2025 survey
largemouth bass 4,799, yellow perch 71, bluegill 33, northern pike 4, black crappie 3, rock bass 2
Fish species recorded
black crappie, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, yellow perch, and 10 other species
Stocked in 2024
walleye fry (234,000)
Stocked in 2022
walleye fry (134,000)
Stocked in 2018
walleye fry (328,000)
Stocking years on record
4 of the last 10 (2016 to 2024)
Bear Lake Public Water Access Site
trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 4 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Forestry
Special regulation
Sunfish: Daily limit five.
Fish consumption
Follow the statewide guidelines; fish from this lake have not been tested
Size
100 to 499 acres
Deepest point
15 to 29 feet
Public access
Yes
Stocked in the last 3 years
Yes

Sources

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.

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