---
type: lake
name: "Bear Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Nashwauk"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 344
max_depth_ft: 16
latitude: 47.66934
longitude: -93.26714
lake_score: 57
dnr_lake_id: "31015700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/bear-lake
---

# Bear Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Nashwauk

- **Surface Area**: 344 acres
- **Max Depth**: 16 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3.7 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 344-acre lake near Nashwauk in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 16 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.7 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

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. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Bear Lake Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 20, based on 10 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**: 11
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Bear Lake Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 20
- **Years of record**: 10
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-24
- **Latest**: 2013-05-10

## Nearby Lakes

- [Little Bear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-bear-lake) - 2.2 miles, 131 acres
- [Otter Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/otter-lake) - 4.3 miles, 117 acres
- [Wasson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/wasson-lake) - 4.7 miles, 438 acres
- [Walters Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/walters-lake) - 4.8 miles, 127 acres
- [Napoleon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/napoleon-lake) - 5.2 miles, 138 acres
- [Owen Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/owen-lake) - 5.5 miles, 268 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.66934,-93.26714)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31015700)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

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