---
type: lake
name: "Bear Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Perham"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 198
max_depth_ft: 32
latitude: 46.68399
longitude: -95.40229
lake_score: 39
dnr_lake_id: "56006900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/bear-lake
---

# Bear Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Perham

- **Surface Area**: 198 acres
- **Max Depth**: 32 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.1 miles
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 39/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Bear Lake is a 198-acre lake near Perham in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 32 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.1 miles of shoreline.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 2 fish species here, including largemouth bass and bluegill. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2016.

There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 2
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2016
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Largemouth Bass, Bluegill

## Nearby Lakes

- [Big Pine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/big-pine-lake) - 6.4 miles, 4,728 acres
- [Dead Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/dead-lake) - 7.6 miles, 270 acres
- [Little Pine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/little-pine-lake) - 8.1 miles, 2,080 acres
- [Wolf Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/wolf-lake) - 9.5 miles, 1,460 acres
- [Murphy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/murphy-lake) - 12.2 miles, 317 acres
- [Silver Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/silver-lake) - 12.2 miles, 239 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.68399,-95.40229)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56006900)
- [All lakes in Otter Tail County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county)

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