Deer Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

04023000

County

Beltrami

Surface area

298 acres

Maximum depth

42 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

118 acres, 40% of the lake

Shoreline

3.6 miles

Average water clarity

11.1 feet (Secchi disk, 4 readings)

Nearest town (DNR)

Bemidji

Latest DNR fish survey

August 2025, targeted survey

Surveys on record

13, since 1981

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, sunfish, walleye, yellow perch, and 16 other species

Stocked in 2025

walleye adults (282); walleye yearlings (46); walleye fingerlings (990)

Stocked in 2023

walleye fingerlings (3,836)

Stocked in 2021

walleye fingerlings (28); walleye adults (1,742)

Stocking years on record

5 of the last 10 (2017 to 2025)

Deer Lake Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 10 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Special regulation

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: Catch-and-release only.

Special regulation

Northern Pike: All from 24-36" must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 36".

Special regulation

Sunfish: Daily limit five.

Fish consumption

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

Size

100 to 499 acres

Deepest point

30 to 59 feet

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.