Little Bear

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Little Bear Lake, was conducted on July 16th, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample seven stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample two stations, and site conditions (i.e., dense aquatic vegetation and soft substrate) prevented the use of a seine at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 10 species of fish. The nearshore data was combined with gill net and trap net data from a June 2025 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Fathead Minnow). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Little Bear Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score exceeds the exceptional use threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Little Fork River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Little Bear Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Little Bear Lake is a small lake located about nine miles southwest of Togo in Itasca County. The lake covers 173 acres and has dark, bog-stained water. Water clarity was about 9 feet during the most recent survey in 2025. Little Bear Lake is relatively shallow, with a maximum depth of 35 feet and a large amount of near-shore habitat that supports fish and aquatic plants. The lake does not have any major inlets and has one outlet to the Bear River. In some winters, low oxygen levels have caused partial fish losses, which can affect fish numbers and size for several years afterward. A state-owned public access is located on the southeast shore. Little Bear Lake is managed primarily for Northern Pike and Black Crappie, with Bluegill as a secondary species. The goal is to maintain these fisheries through natural reproduction. Northern Pike are commonly found in Little Bear Lake, but most fish are small to medium in size. When pike numbers are high, they often compete for food, which can slow growth and reduce the number of larger fish. The 2025 survey showed pike numbers were about where managers expect them to be for this type of lake. Most pike caught ranged from 15 to 35 inches long, with an average size of about 22 inches. Only a small number of larger fish were present, with seven pike longer than 28 inches. Pike of many different ages were found, showing the lake supports natural reproduction. However, growth was average for Little Bear, with pike averaging about 20 inches after four years. Black Crappie have generally been present in low numbers in Little Bear Lake. The 2025 survey showed a slight improvement compared to past surveys, but crappie numbers are still lower than what is typical for lakes with similar habitat. Most crappies sampled were small to moderate in size. Fish ranged from about 4.5 to just over 10 inches long, with most averaging around 8 inches. Only one crappie larger than 10 inches was observed. Growth was slower than average, with crappies reaching about 7 inches by age five. Overall, crappie fishing opportunities are limited and can vary from year to year, with fewer larger fish available. Bluegill are present in Little Bear Lake, but numbers are generally lower than in similar lakes. The 2025 survey showed average Bluegill numbers for Little Bear Lake, meeting management goals, though abundance remains low compared to other lakes with similar habitat. Most Bluegill are small. Fish ranged from about 3 to 8 inches and averaged just under 6 inches. Growth is slow, which is common for this type of lake, with Bluegill reaching about 6 inches by seven years of age. As a result, anglers should expect limited opportunities to catch larger Bluegill. Other species sampled included Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed and Tadpole Madtom.

Little Bear Lake is a 142 acre lake located in northern Itasca County near the town of Togo in the Little Fork River watershed. The water is bog-stained with a Secchi disk transparency of 7.5 feet. Maximum depth is 35 feet with 68% of the lake shallower than 15 feet. The lake has periodically experienced partial winterkills in the past. Submerged vegetation growth was very dense during the 2011 assessment which made for difficult conditions to set nets. The northern pike gill-net catch was below the expected range at 2.2/net. Catches in previous surveys ranged from 2.7 to 14/net. Sampled pike varied from 15.0 to 26.4 inches, with a mean length of 19.7 inches. Recruitment appeared relatively consistent with ages 2 through 7 represented in the sample. Growth of northern pike was similar to the statewide average, with fish reaching 20.4 inches in 5 years. The trap-net catch for black crappie was below the expected range at 0.2/net, while the gill-net catch rate was near the lake class median at 1.8/net. Catch rates in previous assessments have varied from 0 to 4.8/trap net, and from 0 to 1.5/gill net. Gill-net sampled crappie ranged from 6.0 to 9.1 inches, with a mean length of 7.3 inches. Recruitment appeared relatively consistent with ages 3 through 7 represented in the sample. Growth of black crappie was below the statewide average, with fish reaching 7.6 inches in 5 years. The trap-net catch for bluegill was within the lake class expected range at 12.7/net, and similar to the catch of 14/net in 2001. The two highest catch rates have occurred in the two most recent assessments. Catches in prior surveys varied from 0 to 7.5/net. Size structure in the 2011 sample was relatively poor, with fish ranging from 2.9 to 7.8 inches, with a mean length of 5.3 inches. Bluegill growth was similar to the lake class average, with fish reaching 4.7 inches in 5 years. The gill-net catch rate for yellow perch was 0.2/net; below the expected range but similar to the previous assessment. Catches in historical surveys have varied considerably, ranging from 0.5 to 28/net. Yellow perch are an important prey species for walleye and northern pike; consequently low abundance can limit abundance and growth of predator species. No walleye were captured in gill nets in this assessment, despite walleye fry stocking in four of the previous ten years. Catches in historical surveys have varied from 0 to 2/ gill net, although the catch has only once exceeded 0.8/net. One 19.5 inch walleye was sampled in a trap net. Other species sampled in test nets in this assessment included largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, hybrid sunfish and golden shiner. Near-shore IBI (index of biotic integrity) sampling with seines and back-pack electrofishing also sampled blackchin shiner, central mudminnow, Iowa darter and Johnny darter.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, and Hybrid Sunfish in Little Bear. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Little Bear has a maximum depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Bear is from 2025.

No invasive species are on record for Little Bear in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.