---
type: lake
name: "Bowstring Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Deer River"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 9528
max_depth_ft: 32
latitude: 47.53612
longitude: -93.91634
lake_score: 55
dnr_lake_id: "31081300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/bowstring-lake
---

# Bowstring Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Deer River

- **Surface Area**: 9,528 acres
- **Max Depth**: 32 ft
- **Shoreline**: 34.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 4 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 55/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Bowstring Lake is a 9,528-acre lake near Deer River in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 32 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 34.1 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Itasca County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.3 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There are 4 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and US Forest Service. The lake is listed as infested with faucet snail and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.

## Access

- **Public access**: 4 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 17
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **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, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

faucet snail, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/portage-lake) - 4.1 miles, 715 acres
- [Little Jessie Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-jessie-lake) - 4.7 miles, 628 acres
- [Jessie Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/jessie-lake) - 5.7 miles, 1,740 acres
- [Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-cut-foot-sioux-lake) - 5.7 miles, 619 acres
- [Rush Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/rush-island-lake) - 6.4 miles, 297 acres
- [Little Spring Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-spring-lake) - 6.6 miles, 136 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.53612,-93.91634)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31081300)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

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