Bear

Lake County

Near Beaver Bay

DOW: 38040500

Yellow PerchExcellent · 87PumpkinseedAverage · 41Smallmouth BassAverage · 25

A 44-acre lake near Beaver Bay in Lake County — best known for panfish and bass. Last surveyed 2008.

Fish Species (4)

Yellow Perch

Excellent · 87

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008

Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.6"

Avg Weight

0.21 lbs

Catch rate: 96.0 per gill net · typical 1–8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch27% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 73%Largest sampled 10"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 8, 2008	0.33	7.6"	-	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 8, 2008	3.78	7.6"	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 8, 2008	96.00	7.6"	0.21 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 41

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008

Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 3.4 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 6"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 8, 2008	0.67	5.0"	0.06 lbs	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 8, 2008	3.44	5.0"	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets

Smallmouth Bass

Average · 25

Small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008

Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution

Avg Size

9.0"

Avg Weight

0.62 lbs

Catch rate: 10.7 per gill net · typical 0.4–1.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable smallmouth bass6% keeper-size (12"+)

7–11" · 94%Largest sampled 17"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 8, 2008	10.67	9.0"	0.62 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 8, 2008	0.50	9.0"	0.03 lbs	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 8, 2008	9.22	9.0"	0.38 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (1)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

White Sucker

Excellent · 75

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008

Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution

Avg Size

14.2"

Avg Weight

1.71 lbs

Catch rate: 12.7 per gill net · typical 1.5–10.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 8, 2008	12.67	14.2"	1.71 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 8, 2008	0.56	14.2"	0.78 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best yellow perch lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 8, 2026

Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Biologist Notes

July 8, 2008There is no public access to, or public land abutting Bear Lake. Self-sustaining populations of smallmouth bass, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and white s…

There is no public access to, or public land abutting Bear Lake. Self-sustaining populations of smallmouth bass, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and white sucker exists in the lake. Neascus and yellow grub were common in the smallmouth bass and yellow perch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Bear?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed, and Smallmouth Bass in Bear. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Bear?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Bear. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Bear?

Bear has a maximum depth of 31 feet and a mean depth of 23.8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Bear last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bear is from 2008. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Bear have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Bear in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Bear?

No — Bear has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.