Bear Lake

Bear Lake near 46.4977, -92.6786 is a lake in Carlton County, Minnesota. Bear Lake covers about 90.4 acres, reaches a recorded 31 feet and holds about 946 acre-feet.

What to Expect at Bear Lake

Bear Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.

Fish and Useful Baits at Bear Lake

Fish reported from Bear Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, bluegill, brown bullhead, common shiner, green sunfish, johnny darter, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Bear Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

For panfish at Bear Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, pumpkinseed, and green sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.

Walleye

For roaming fish at Bear Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.

Northern Pike

For large predators at Bear Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.

Bullheads

For bottom fishing at Bear Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.

A Simple Fishing Plan for Bear Lake

On a first trip to Bear Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.

When to Fish Bear Lake

Spring at Bear Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at Bear Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.