Bear

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Bear Lake, was conducted on July 15th-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 all 10 stations. Nearshore sampling captured 10 species of fish including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass) and no species tolerant of disturbance. 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 Bear Lake is healthy as indicated by a FIBI score above the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lake. 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 Bear Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Bear Lake is a 328 acre lake located 21 miles north of Nashwauk, MN. A concrete public access is located on the north shore with parking for seven vehicles and trailers. There is a state administered campground on the northeast shore. Bear Lake has a maximum depth of 16 feet and 82% of the lake is 15 feet or less. Water chemistry suggests moderately soft water with good fertility. Water transparency is low, about 4 feet, due to bog stain. The Bear River originates from wetland drainage to the south, through Bear Lake and ultimately to Sturgeon River, though migration is limited due to beaver activity. Other similar area lakes include Battle, Otter, and Upper Panasa. The 2025 survey was the eleventh survey of the fish community since 1951. Bluegill, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and Walleye are best suited for the lake. A five fish daily limit sunfish special regulation was implemented in 2021. The 2019 management plan indicated Walleye were a primary management species due to active management through stocking. Walleye have been fry stocked in even years since 2012 (except 2020). Bluegill were another primary management species, actively managed with a special regulation. Black Crappie and Northern Pike were listed as secondary management species due to angler interest. The Walleye population can be described as having low catch rates, average size distribution, and average growth. The gill net catch was lower than expected but may be partially explained by the missing 2020 stocking. Lengths of Walleye ranged from 17 to 29 inches, with an average of 21 inches. Size distribution was favorable and comparable to past surveys. Walleye were aged from 7 to 13 years old and correlated to a stocked year. Growth was similar to the statewide average. Walleye took four years to average 15 inches. The Bluegill population demonstrates moderate catch rates, good size distribution and average growth. The trap net catch was as expected. The catch was more in line with what has been typically observed than the 2018 historical high rate. Lengths ranged from 3 to 9 inches, with an average of 7 inches. Size structure was favorable and comparable to past surveys. The intent of the special regulation is to maintain the quality size structure. Bluegill were aged from 2 to 12 years old, with a mostly even distribution. Growth was similar to the lake class average. Bluegill took six years to average 6 inches. The Black Crappie population has generally had variable catches, good size distribution and average growth. Both gill net and trap net catches were comparable to past surveys and lakes with similar habitat. The trap net catch was lower than the historical high in 2018, while the gill net catch exceeded the 2018 catch. Lengths of trap net sampled fish ranged from 4 to 13 inches, with an average length of 9 inches. Size structure was quality, comparable to past surveys and likely of angler interest. Crappie were aged from 2 to 10 years old, with ages -2 and -7 being most common. Although low levels of recruitment occur regularly, the majority of fish sampled in each survey have been from one or two year classes. Growth was similar to the statewide average. Black Crappie took five years to average 8 inches. The Northern Pike population has typically had low catch rates, above average size distribution, and slightly below average growth. The gill net catch was similar to average for the lake and lakes with similar habitat. The catch was similar to the 2018 survey. Lengths of pike sampled ranged from 14 to 38 inches, with an average length of 21 inches. Pike over 34 inches have been regularly sampled in recent surveys despite a size structure best described as modest. Pike were aged from 2 to 8 years old, with ages 3 and 4 being most common. Growth rates were similar to the statewide average. Pike took five years to average 21 inches. The Yellow Perch population can be characterized as variable with average size distribution. The gill net catch has had a decreasing trend, below average for the lake and lake type. The 2025 catch was a historical low. Lengths of perch sampled ranged from 5 to 8 inches, with an average of 6 inches. Only a few surveys have not sampled perch over 10 inches. The lower perch numbers observed in recent surveys likely limit predator numbers. Other species sampled in this survey included Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass and White Sucker.

Bear Lake is in ecological lake class 39 and is located in the Little Fork River Watershed. The lake is 328 acres and has a maximum depth of 16 feet. A survey targeting nearshore fish species was conducted by Area staff on 17 July, 2018. Ten sampling sites (100 feet long) were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site is sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-ft or 15-ft 1/8th inch mesh seine, depending on habitat condition. Shoreline seining was conducted at 10 sites; using the 50-ft seine at 7 sites and the 15-ft seine at three. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sites. Nearshore sampling captured a total of 12 different species; 11 species by seining and nine species by backpack electrofishing. The species can be found in the gear-specific catch tables in this report. Nearshore catches will be used with the gill net and trap net data from the standard survey conducted on 25 June, 2018, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score which is indicative of lake health. The surveys will assist the watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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

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

Bear has a maximum depth of 16 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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