---
type: lake
name: "Bowen Lake"
county: "Cass"
nearest_town: "Backus"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 182
max_depth_ft: 25
latitude: 46.80995
longitude: -94.49132
lake_score: 57
dnr_lake_id: "11035000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/bowen-lake
---

# Bowen Lake

Lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Backus

- **Surface Area**: 182 acres
- **Max Depth**: 25 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12.6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 57/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Bowen Lake is an 182-acre lake near Backus in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 25 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.6 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 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 2024.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with starry stonewort and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 8 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 14
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

starry stonewort, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 16
- **Years of record**: 8
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-17
- **Latest**: 2018-05-01

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lind Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/lind-lake) - 1 miles, 440 acres
- [Pine Mountain Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/pine-mountain-lake) - 2.2 miles, 1,617 acres
- [Sanborn Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/sanborn-lake) - 2.3 miles, 220 acres
- [Brockway Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/brockway-lake) - 2.7 miles, 180 acres
- [Horseshoe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/horseshoe-lake) - 3 miles, 260 acres
- [Rainy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/rainy-lake) - 3.1 miles, 129 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.80995,-94.49132)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=11035000)
- [All lakes in Cass County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county)

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