Bear

Bear Lake is a 181-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in northeast Otter Tail County, approximately 12 miles northeast of Perham, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 32 feet; however, 66% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The majority of the shoreline of Bear Lake remains undeveloped. A state owned public water access is located on the north shoreline. Vast areas of emergent and submergent vegetation are prevalent throughout the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and common cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. A spring trapnetting assessment was conducted to analyze the Bluegill population. Bluegill abundance and size structure has historically fluctuated. In this survey, Bluegills were very abundant and 55% of the Bluegills measured 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills ranged in length from 3.5 to 8.5 inches with an average length of 6.8 inches. Bluegills attain an average length of 6.3 inches at five years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.

Northern pike abundance continues to be very low with large individual fish. The black bullhead population appears to have declined considerably since the 1978 survey. In 1978, there were 28.7 black bullheads per gill net and 178.8 per trap net while in this survey there were 0.5 per gill net and 6.7 per trap net. Yellow and brown bullheads have remained at low levels since the 1978 survey. The bluegill and pumpkinseed populations appear to have increased. During this survey there were 62.0 bluegills and 143.7 pumpkinseeds per net. The black crappie population appears to be very slow growing. Largemouth bass abundance, as measured by gill and trap net catches, appears to be very good. Bass reproduction appears to be excellent as there were many age-II fish collected. The abundance of yellow perch has declined considerably since 1978; however, the index of abundance is still good. Zero walleyes were sampled during this survey. Historically, the lake has not sustained many walleyes, although it has been stocked with walleye fry periodically.

Bear Lake has high-density populations of yellow perch and bullheads. Pumpkinseeds were sampled in above average numbers. Northern pike, walleye and black crappies were sampled in below average numbers.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid Sunfish, and Largemouth Bass 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 32 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bear is from 1989. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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.