Little Bemidji Lake
About Little Bemidji Lake
Little Bemidji Lake is a 293-acre lake near Ponsford in Becker County, Minnesota. It reaches 58 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 14, based on 12 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Little Bemidji Lake
- 293 acres, up to 58 feet deep, near Ponsford
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 9 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 293 acres
- Max depth
- 58 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 59 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 16
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 14
- Years of record
- 12
- Earliest
- April 4, 2021
- Latest
- April 26, 2020
- Most recent
- April 18, 2025
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Little Bemidji Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Many Point Lake
81 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Ponsford1,701 acres
1.8 miles away
Elbow Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Waubun995 acres
2.5 miles away
Pike Lake
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Elbow Lake Village124 acres
2.9 miles away
Round Lake
72 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Ponsford1,094 acres
4.1 miles away
Tulaby Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreMahnomen · Waubun832 acres
4.3 miles away
Waboose Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Ponsford232 acres
4.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Bemidji Lake?
Little Bemidji Lake is in Becker County, Minnesota, near Ponsford. It covers 293 acres and reaches 58 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Bemidji Lake?
Little Bemidji Lake covers 293 acres with about 3.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 58 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Bemidji Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Bemidji Lake?
Yes. Little Bemidji Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Little Bemidji Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Bemidji Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Little Bemidji Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Little Bemidji Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Little Bemidji Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 14, from 12 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 4, 2021 and the latest is April 26, 2020.