---
type: lake
name: "Bear Lake"
county: "Carlton"
nearest_town: "Barnum"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 100
max_depth_ft: 31
latitude: 46.49796
longitude: -92.67629
lake_score: 57
dnr_lake_id: "09003400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carlton-county/bear-lake
---

# Bear Lake

Lake in Carlton County, Minnesota, near Barnum

- **Surface Area**: 100 acres
- **Max Depth**: 31 ft
- **Average Depth**: 11 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 6.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 57/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Bear Lake is a 100-acre lake near Barnum in Carlton County, Minnesota. It reaches 31 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 11 feet, and has roughly 2.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.1 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 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 2015.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the county. Bear Lake County Park Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 19, based on 10 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 11
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2015
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Bear Lake County Park Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 19
- **Years of record**: 10
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-24
- **Latest**: 2014-05-04

## Nearby Lakes

- [Little Hanging Horn Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carlton-county/little-hanging-horn-lake) - 1.1 miles, 114 acres
- [Hanging Horn Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carlton-county/hanging-horn-lake) - 1.6 miles, 409 acres
- [Moose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carlton-county/moose-lake) - 4.8 miles, 133 acres
- [Moosehead Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carlton-county/moosehead-lake) - 5.2 miles, 279 acres
- [Echo Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carlton-county/echo-lake) - 5.6 miles, 108 acres
- [Sand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carlton-county/sand-lake) - 6.4 miles, 128 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.49796,-92.67629)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=09003400)
- [All lakes in Carlton County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carlton-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carlton-county/bear-lake)*