---
type: lake
name: "Bear Creek Reservoir"
county: "Olmsted"
nearest_town: "Chester"
lake_type: "reservoir"
acres: 104
max_depth_ft: 37
latitude: 43.99193
longitude: -92.31004
lake_score: 61
dnr_lake_id: "55002200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/olmsted-county/bear-creek-reservoir
---

# Bear Creek Reservoir

Reservoir in Olmsted County, Minnesota, near Chester

- **Surface Area**: 104 acres
- **Max Depth**: 37 ft
- **Average Depth**: 16 ft
- **Shoreline**: 5.2 miles
- **Lake Type**: reservoir
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (asphalt)
- **Lake Score**: 61/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Bear Creek Reservoir is a 104-acre reservoir near Chester in Olmsted County, Minnesota. It reaches 37 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 16 feet, and has roughly 5.2 miles of shoreline.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. Special fishing regulations apply to largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, and sunfish, black and white crappie, yellow perch, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (asphalt surface) managed by the county. OpenStreetMap shows Chester Woods Beach on or beside the lake. Chester Woods County Park Campground and Mallard Point Remote non-electric canoe-in only campsite are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 7
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass**: Combined possession limit one. The daily and possession limits for these species apply to the waters listed as a whole, that is, only one daily and possession limit may be taken from the group of waters that comprise the Rochester-Olmsted County Area Lakes
- **Northern Pike**: Possession limit one. The daily and possession limit of one for northern pike apply to the waters listed as a whole, that is, only one daily and possession limit may be taken from the group of waters that comprise the Rochester-Olmsted County Area Lakes
- **Sunfish, Black and White Crappie, Yellow Perch**: Combined possession limit ten, of which only five may be black or white crappie. The daily and possession limit for these species apply to the waters listed as a whole, that is, only one daily and possession limit may be taken from the group of waters that comprise the Rochester-Olmsted County Area Lakes.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground, Picnic Area

### Beaches

- Chester Woods Beach

### Campgrounds

- Chester Woods County Park Campground
- Mallard Point Remote non-electric canoe-in only campsite
- Beaver Point Remote non-electric canoe-in only campsite
- Chester Woods Campground

## Fish Species

Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Silver Creek Reservoir](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/olmsted-county/silver-creek-reservoir) - 4.2 miles, 107 acres
- [Silver Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/olmsted-county/silver-lake) - 7.8 miles, 50 acres
- [Lake Zumbro](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/olmsted-county/lake-zumbro) - 15.4 miles, 715 acres
- [Shady Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/olmsted-county/shady-lake) - 16.7 miles, 144 acres
- [Goodview Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/winona-county/goodview-lake) - 29.8 miles, 77 acres
- [Lake Winona](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/winona-county/lake-winona) - 33.3 miles, 308 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=43.99193,-92.31004)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=55002200)
- [All lakes in Olmsted County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/olmsted-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/olmsted-county/bear-creek-reservoir)*