---
type: lake
name: "Bear Head Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Tower"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 662
max_depth_ft: 46
latitude: 47.78451
longitude: -92.07942
lake_score: 77
dnr_lake_id: "69025400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/bear-head-lake
---

# Bear Head Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Tower

- **Surface Area**: 662 acres
- **Max Depth**: 46 ft
- **Shoreline**: 12.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 77/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Bear Head Lake is a 662-acre lake near Tower in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 46 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 12.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.2 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 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. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Bear Head Lake State Park Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 27, based on 25 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Permit or fee required

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 10
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

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

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Bear Head Lake State Park Campground

## Fish Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 27
- **Years of record**: 25
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-24
- **Latest**: 2013-05-13

## Nearby Lakes

- [Eagles Nest #3 Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/eagles-nest-3-lake) - 2.1 miles, 1,028 acres
- [Skeleton Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/skeleton-lake) - 2.2 miles, 63 acres
- [Eagles Nest #2 Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/eagles-nest-2-lake) - 2.9 miles, 388 acres
- [Eagles Nest No. Four Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/eagles-nest-no-four-lake) - 3.2 miles, 178 acres
- [Eagles Nest #1 Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/eagles-nest-1-lake) - 3.3 miles, 324 acres
- [Joseph Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/joseph-lake) - 3.7 miles, 76 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.78451,-92.07942)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69025400)
- [All lakes in St. Louis County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county)

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