Black Bear

Black Bear is a 218 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 48', located 2 miles west of Trommald, MN. Black Bear is in Mississippi River Watershed. A nearshore survey was conducted to assess the populations of both game and non-game fish species. Ten 100' long sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lakeshore. Each station was then sampled by backpack electrofishing, and if conditions allowed with a 15' or 50' 1/8th inch seine. The survey took place August 4th and 10th, 2023, with all 10 stations sampled by backpack electrofishing. The 50' 1/8th inch seine was used at 7 stations and the 15' 1/8th inch seine was used at 2 stations. Sixteen species were sampled, including five species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance: Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, and Banded Killifish. This nearshore survey was used along with the gill net and trap net survey collected the same week to calculate a Fish-Based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health by the types of fish species present and comparing it to what is expected for this type of lake.

Black Bear Lake is a fair distance from any major roads and the long access road in probably discourages many non-local anglers from fishing this lake. Development on the lake is restricted to the north and south ends of the lake, while State and County land preserves much of the lake as undeveloped. Emergent plants are quite numerous and are important for shoreline protection, regulating nutrient levels, and they provide essential spawning habitat for Northern Pike, bass and panfish. Submerged plants provide food and cover needed by fish and other aquatic species. The most abundant species captured in 2023 was Tullibee (Cisco). Average size of the Tullibee (Cisco) was 11.6". Even with abundant Tullibee, the Northern Pike population was below average at 3.2/gill net. Average size was 21.7" with 21% above the 22-26" protected slot. Panfish results were mixed. Size was decent with Black Crappie, as 83% were 8" or larger, but numbers appear to be low as only 6 fish were captured during the survey. Bluegill numbers were a little better at 12.9/trap net, but size was small. Average length was 5.1" and 22% were 7" or larger. Largemouth Bass were sampled by electrofishing in the spring at the rate of 87.4/hour. Average length was 11.7" and 52% were 12" or larger.

Black Bear Lake is a fair distance from any major roads and the long access road in probably discourages many non-local anglers from fishing this lake. Development on the lake is restricted to the north and south ends of the lake, while State and County land preserves much of the lake as undeveloped. The aquatic plant community, which grew to a depth of 18 feet in 1998, is fairly diverse. These plants are extremely important to maintaining a healthy aquatic environment. Emergent plants, like bulrush, cattail and wild rice, which are quite numerous, are important for shoreline protection, regulating nutrient levels, and they provide essential spawning habitat for northern pike, bass and panfish. Submerged plants provide food and cover needed by fish and other aquatic species. The two most abundant species in 2010 were largemouth bass, which were sampled by electrofishing, and tullibee (cisco). Both were caught in high numbers. Average size of the bass was 11.5" and 43% were 12" or larger. Tullibees are an important forage fish for the northern pike in the lake. Average size of the tullibee was 12.4". Even with abundant tullibee, the northern pike population was just average and size was on the small side, with an average length of only 18.6". Black crappies, which were seen in decent numbers while electrofishing for bass in the spring, weren't sampled well in nets. Other fish species sampled included bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed, rock bass, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch. Various minnow species were also sampled while backpack electrofishing and seining, including a pugnose shiner, which is a species of concern.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, and Green Sunfish in Black Bear. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Black Bear. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Black Bear has a maximum depth of 48 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Black Bear is from 2023.

Yes — Black Bear has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.