Bear Island Lake
About Bear Island Lake
Bear Island Lake is a 2,362-acre lake near Babbitt in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 62 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 28.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.2 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There are 3 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and township. Ice typically goes out around April 28, based on 6 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Bear Island Lake
- 2,362 acres, up to 62 feet deep, near Babbitt
- 3 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR and township
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 8.2 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR, township
Conditions
- Surface area
- 2,362 acres
- Max depth
- 62 ft
- Shoreline
- 28.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 8.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 879 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
- 3 public boat launches (concrete)
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
- 11
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 28
- Years of record
- 6
- Earliest
- April 12, 2017
- Latest
- May 15, 2013
- Most recent
- May 9, 2022
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Bear Island Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Muckwa Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely147 acres
1.9 miles away
Perch Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Babbitt100 acres
2.6 miles away
Whisper Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely46 acres
2.7 miles away
Joseph Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Babbitt76 acres
3.5 miles away
Johnson Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely456 acres
3.6 miles away
Purvis Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely53 acres
3.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bear Island Lake?
Bear Island Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Babbitt. It covers 2,362 acres and reaches 62 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Bear Island Lake?
Bear Island Lake covers 2,362 acres with about 28.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 62 feet.
What fish can you catch at Bear Island Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Burbot and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Bear Island Lake?
Yes. Bear Island Lake has 3 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR and township. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Bear Island Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Bear Island 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 Bear Island Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Bear Island Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Bear Island Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 28, from 6 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 12, 2017 and the latest is May 15, 2013.