Bear

Bear Lake is a scenic 18-acre designated trout lake located entirely within Tettegouche State Park. The lake is managed for Splake with 2,000 fingerlings stocked in the fall of odd numbered years. There is also a small, naturalized population of Lake Trout that has persisted in the lake despite not being stocked since 1970. Anglers can access the lake either via a 0.2-mile portage trail from Bean Lake, or by way of a spur trail from the Superior Hiking Trail down to a campsite on the NE end of the lake. A survey was completed in fall 2024 to monitor the trout fishery and evaluate the current stocking plan. Good numbers of Splake were sampled in the survey with the catch being comparable to the 2019 survey. The average length of the Splake sampled was 11.5 inches with the longest fish measuring 21 inches. Fish from at least two stocking events (2021 and 2023) were present in the sample indicating good survival of stocked fish and that the lake continues to provide good trout habitat from year to year. One 30-inch Lake Trout estimated to weigh nine pounds was sampled in 2024. This fish verified that Lake Trout were still present in the lake at the time of the survey. Similar to previous surveys of the lake, White Suckers were sampled in high numbers but do not prevent Splake from surviving to provide a fishery. The good numbers of Splake and size structure of the population combined with the chance to catch a Lake Trout in a beautiful setting makes Bear Lake a good destination for anglers willing to put in the effort to get there.

Bear Lake is a designated stream trout lake located 1.5 miles northwest of Silver Bay and is within Tettegouche State Park. There is a 0.16 mile long portage trail from the northeast end of Bean Lake to the southwest end of Bear Lake. Users can also access the lake by following a spur from the Superior Hiking Trail to a campsite on the northeast end of the lake. Bear Lake is managed primarily for Splake with fingerlings stocked in the fall of odd numbered years. There is also a secondary fishery for Lake Trout. They were stocked prior to 1970, but the current population is maintained entirely through natural reproduction. A standard lake survey was conducted the week of October 7, 2019 to assess the state of the trout populations. Splake catch was well above the normal range compared to other area stream trout lakes. Fish had an average weight of 0.98 pounds and an average length just short of 14 inches with the longest fish measuring almost 21 inches. Survival of stocked fish is good with fish from the 2015, 2017, and 2019 stocking events represented in the sample. A single Lake Trout was also sampled, it measured 13.7 inches long and was estimated to be age-3. A small number of Lake Trout are sampled in most surveys. Results from the 2019 survey confirm that a small naturally reproducing population continues to persist in the lake. White Suckers were sampled in above average numbers and may compete with the trout populations in the lake. Iowa Darter, Bluntnose Minnow, and Brook Stickleback were also sample during the survey. Although the lake requires a significant amount of effort to reach, anglers that make the journey will be rewarded with the opportunity to catch a quality sized Splake.

Bear Lake is a designated stream trout lake that is stocked with fingerling Splake in odd numbered years. A survey was completed in 2019 to monitor the amount of cool, well oxygenated habitat (oxythermal habitat) available for trout during the summer. Automated temperature loggers were suspended at five foot intervals below the surface to forty feet at the deepest spot in the lake to record hourly water temperatures throughout the summer. In addition, temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected on several occasions to determine how deep well-oxygenated water occurred. Survey results indicate summer dissolved oxygen concentrations and water temperatures were not limiting factors in Bear Lake in 2019. Similar surveys completed in recent years suggest the lake currently maintains very good habitat for stream trout throughout the open water season. Oxythermal habitat conditions will continue to be monitored to evaluate the suitability of Bear Lake for Splake management.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Splake, Lake Trout, and Rainbow Trout 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 69 feet and a mean depth of 27 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bear is from 2024.

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.