Little Bowstring Lake
About Little Bowstring Lake
Little Bowstring Lake is a 326-acre lake near Deer River in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 33 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.5 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 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 2022.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the county. Ice typically goes out around April 18, based on 17 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Little Bowstring Lake
- 326 acres, up to 33 feet deep, near Deer River
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 6.5 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 326 acres
- Max depth
- 33 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 6.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 115 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
- 15
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2022
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Sunfish: Daily limit five.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 18
- Years of record
- 17
- Earliest
- March 24, 2012
- Latest
- May 13, 2013
- Most recent
- April 15, 2016
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 Bowstring Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Grave Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell525 acres
2.7 miles away
Dead Horse Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell105 acres
3.7 miles away
Day Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell49 acres
3.9 miles away
Island Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Deer River285 acres
4.2 miles away
Cottonwood Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Suomi133 acres
4.5 miles away
Caribou Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell247 acres
4.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Bowstring Lake?
Little Bowstring Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Deer River. It covers 326 acres and reaches 33 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Bowstring Lake?
Little Bowstring Lake covers 326 acres with about 3.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 33 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Bowstring 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 Bowstring Lake?
Yes. Little Bowstring Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Little Bowstring Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Bowstring 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 Bowstring Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Little Bowstring Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Little Bowstring Lake?
Yes. Daily limit five.
When does the ice go out on Little Bowstring Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 18, from 17 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 24, 2012 and the latest is May 13, 2013.