Bear Creek Reservoir

Bear Creek Reservoir is located in Chesterwoods County Park, 6 miles east of the City of Rochester on Highway 14. The reservoir is 118 acres and has a maximum depth of 37 feet. The reservoir is comprised of multiple arms and small coves. There is an abundance of standing timber remaining in the reservoir. A boat ramp is present, but boats are restricted to the use of electric motors only. There are several fishing piers with good access, including a pier by the boat ramp that is accessible by persons with a disability. There is also a campground and swimming beach within the park. Bear Creek Reservoir was sampled by daytime electrofishing on 04/10/2025 and 05/02/2025. At this time Black Crappies were staging to spawn. Largemouth Bass were also in shallow water and vulnerable to electrofishing. A total of 229 Bluegill were collected with an average length was 5.6 inches and the longest Bluegill was 9.5 inches. Three hundred fifteen Largemouth Bass were captured with an average length of 10.4 inches and a maximum length of 19.1 inches. Bluegill over 8 inches in length made up 13.5% of the total catch. Black Crappie were of particular interest to us in the 2025 survey and a total of 88 were sampled. The average Black Crappie length was 9.1 inches with a maximum length of 10.9 inches. The majority of the Black Crappie sampled were from the 2020 year class (age-5). Populations of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie appear to be in very good condition in Bear Creek Reservoir. Bluegill numbers as well as the number of quality size fish are excellent and should provide good angling in coming years. While Largemouth bass provide good top end size with abundant numbers of smaller fish to drive catch rates and contribute to good Bluegill size structure.

Bear Creek Reservoir is located in Chesterwoods County Park, 6 miles east of the City of Rochester on Highway 14. An Olmsted County Parks permit is required to access the park and reservoir. The reservoir is 118 acres, has a maximum depth of 37 feet, and is comprised of multiple arms and small coves. There is an abundance of standing timber in the reservoir. A paved ramp is available, however boats are restricted to electric motors only. There are several fishing piers with good access, including an accessible pier by the boat ramp. There is also a campground and swimming beach within the park. A survey of Bear Creek Reservoir was conducted April 2019, immediately after ice out to assess the Northern Pike population after anglers reported catching them. Northern Pike have never been stocked into the reservoir by MN DNR and they have not been sampled in previous surveys. Methods included electrofishing, trapnetting, and gillnetting. Gillnets were the only gear to sample Northern Pike. Twenty-one Northern Pike were sampled with an average length of 26.2 inches, with a range of 14.1 inches to 36 inches. It appears this is an established, quality Northern Pike population. Other fish species sampled included 183 Black Crappie with an average size of 9.1 inches and the largest being 11.5 inches. There were 108 Bluegill sampled with an average length of 6.5 inches and the largest was 9.8 inches. Fifty-four Largemouth Bass were sampled with an average length of 11.5 inches and the largest was 18.8 inches. A total of 18 White Suckers were sampled with an average length of 17.9 inches and the largest was 23.2 inches. One Black Bullhead and one Fathead Minnow was also sampled. Populations of Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie appear to be in very good condition in Bear Creek Reservoir. The numbers of fish, as well as the number of quality size fish, are excellent and should provide good angling in coming years. Special fishing regulations are in effect on Bear Creek Reservoir: Sunfish, crappie, yellow perch: combined possession limit is 10, with no more than 5 crappie. Largemouth Bass: possession limit is 1. The Southern Zone Northern Pike regulations apply: Possession limit is 2, with a minimum size of 24 inches.

Bear Creek Reservoir is located in Chesterwoods County Park, 6 miles east of the City of Rochester on Highway 14. The reservoir is 118 acres and has a maximum depth of 37 feet. The reservoir is comprised of multiple arms and small coves. There is an abundance of standing timber remaining in the reservoir. A boat ramp is present, however an Olmsted County Parks sticker is required for parking. Boats are restricted to the use of electric motors only. There are several fishing piers with good access, including a pier by the boat ramp that is accessible by persons with a disability. There is also a campground and swimming beach within the park. Bear Creek Reservoir was sampled by daytime electrofishing on 5/27/2015. At this time, Bluegill were beginning to construct nests for spawning. Largemouth Bass were also in shallow water and vulnerable to electrofishing. A total of 56 Bluegill were collected. Average length was 6.9 inches and the longest Bluegill was 9.2 inches. Ninety Largemouth Bass were captured with an average length of 11.9 inches and a maximum length of 18.4 inches. Black Crappie are not as vulnerable to capture by electrofishing, however 15 were captured. The average Black Crappie length was 8.7 inches with a maximum length of 11.1 inches. Populations of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie appear to be in very good condition in Bear Creek Reservoir. The numbers of fish as well as the number of quality size fish are excellent and should provide good angling in coming years.

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

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

Bear Creek Reservoir has a maximum depth of 37 feet and a mean depth of 16 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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