Bowstring Lake near 47.5372, -93.9050 is a lake in Itasca County, Minnesota. Bowstring Lake covers about 9,526 acres, reaches a recorded 32 feet and holds about 138,294 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Bowstring Lake Affect Fishing
Bowstring Lake is too large to fish all at once, so pick one group of coves and points and stay there long enough to learn what the fish are using.
Fish and Baits at Bowstring Lake
Fish reported from Bowstring Lake include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin, brown bullhead, burbot, central mudminnow, cisco, common shiner, fathead minnow, golden redhorse, golden shiner, iowa darter, johnny darter, lake whitefish, largemouth bass, longnose dace, mimic shiner, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Bowstring Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Bowstring Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill and pumpkinseed, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.
Walleye
For roaming fish at Bowstring Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Bowstring Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Bullheads
For bottom fishing at Bowstring Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.
Other Reported Fish
Other choices at Bowstring Lake include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.
Rock Bass
At Bowstring Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.
Cisco, Lake Whitefish, and Burbot
For other cold-water fish at Bowstring Lake, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling, and keep a small jig or natural bait near clean bottom for lake whitefish, and fish a glow jig or natural bait close to bottom after dark for burbot.
How the Seasons Change Bowstring Lake
Spring at Bowstring 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 Bowstring Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Bowstring Lake
On a first trip to Bowstring 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.
Useful Tackle for Bowstring Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Bowstring Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Bowstring Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 9,526-acre Bowstring Lake?
At Bowstring Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.
Should anglers fish the 32-foot deep end of Bowstring Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Bowstring Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 138,294 acre-foot storage figure mean at Bowstring Lake?
At Bowstring Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.