Big Bear Lake
About Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake is a 143-acre lake near Rollins in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 15 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8 feet.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR.
Plan Your Visit to Big Bear Lake
- 143 acres, up to 15 feet deep, near Rollins
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Average water clarity around 8 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 143 acres
- Max depth
- 15 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 143 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
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Big Bear Lake
Compare Big Bear Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
White Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Two Harbors123 acres
1.6 miles away
Pequaywan Lake
28 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Rollins425 acres
2.4 miles away
Stone Lake
23 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Rollins197 acres
3.7 miles away
Smith Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Brimson193 acres
3.8 miles away
King Lake
12 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Rollins318 acres
3.8 miles away
Little Stone Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Two Harbors169 acres
4.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Big Bear Lake?
Big Bear Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Rollins. It covers 143 acres and reaches 15 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Big Bear Lake?
Big Bear Lake covers 143 acres with about 3.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 15 feet.
What fish can you catch at Big Bear Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Big Bear Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Big Bear Lake?
Yes. Big Bear Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Big Bear Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Big Bear 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.