---
type: lake
name: "Bear Island Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Babbitt"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 2362
max_depth_ft: 62
latitude: 47.7762
longitude: -91.96624
lake_score: 63
dnr_lake_id: "69011500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/bear-island-lake
---

# Bear Island Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Babbitt

- **Surface Area**: 2,362 acres
- **Max Depth**: 62 ft
- **Shoreline**: 28.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 8.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 63/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, township
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 28
- **Years of record**: 6
- **Earliest**: 2017-04-12
- **Latest**: 2013-05-15

## Nearby Lakes

- [Muckwa Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/muckwa-lake) - 1.9 miles, 147 acres
- [Perch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/perch-lake-babbitt) - 2.6 miles, 100 acres
- [Whisper Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/whisper-lake) - 2.7 miles, 46 acres
- [Joseph Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/joseph-lake) - 3.5 miles, 76 acres
- [Johnson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/johnson-lake-ely) - 3.6 miles, 456 acres
- [Purvis Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/purvis-lake) - 3.9 miles, 53 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.7762,-91.96624)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69011500)
- [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-island-lake)*