Bemidji Lake (main lake) Fishing
Beltrami County, 6,596 acres, 76 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo, nearby stand in for Bemidji Lake (main lake): Pete Markham from Loretto, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
Bemidji Lake (main lake), the Minnesota rundown
LakeFinder puts Bemidji Lake (main lake), a lake in Beltrami County, at 6,596 acres. Maximum depth is 76 feet, with an average of 34 feet. The littoral zone, water under 15 feet, takes in 1,819 acres (28%). Bemidji is the nearest city on the Census list, roughly 2 miles off. The DNR fisheries office in Bemidji manages it. DNR records count it among muskie lakes (native).
The species list from DNR surveys starts with walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Boaters have 1 public water access. The last DNR standard survey ran on August 15, 2022. Walleye catch rates sat above normal: 13.67 per gill net against 4.0-9.6.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 What the DNR nets turned up on Bemidji Lake (main lake)
The standard survey of August 15, 2022 supplied these counts; the DNR normal range shows what similar lakes produce.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 205 | 13.67 | 4.0-9.6 | 0.95 | 1.1-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 21 | 1.31 | 0.3-0.9 | 2.14 | 1.0-2.2 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 53 | 3.53 | 3.0-7.9 | 3.78 | 1.7-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 10 | 0.62 | 2.03 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 474 | 31.6 | 7.1-33.9 | 0.19 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 51 | 3.19 | 0.7-3.7 | 0.13 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 3 | 0.19 | 3.7-42.9 | 0.02 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.06 | 0.4-1.4 | 0.3-0.7 | |
| Muskellunge | Special electrofishing | 46 | 243.17 | 28.91 | ||
| Tullibee (cisco) | Standard gill nets | 7 | 0.47 | 0.5-5.2 | 1.02 | 0.4-1.0 |
| Rock bass | Standard gill nets | 14 | 0.93 | 1.0-6.6 | 0.34 | 0.3-0.5 |
| Rock bass | Standard trap nets | 22 | 1.38 | 0.7-3.3 | 0.23 | 0.2-0.5 |
Bemidji Lake (main lake) gill net counts
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Status of the fishery on Bemidji Lake (main lake)
“Lake Bemidji is a 6,596-acre lake with a maximum depth of 76 feet located adjacent to the city of Bemidji in southern Beltrami County.”
“There are a total of six public boat landings located around the lake.”
“Accessible fishing piers are located at the inlet of the lake near downtown Bemidji and at Lake Bemidji State Park.”
“Lake Bemidji is part of a connected system of lakes which includes Lake Irving upstream and Stump Lake downstream on the Mississippi River.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Bemidji Lake (main lake) (report). Checked October 2026.
Landings around Bemidji Lake (main lake)
- Lake Bemidji, Nymore Beach Access2 ramps, 25 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, City of Bemidji
Water accesses near Bemidji Lake (main lake)
- Lake Bemidji, Cameron Park AccessBemidji, 1 mile southwest
- Lake Bemidji, Diamond Point AccessBemidji, 2 miles southwest
- Lake Bemidji, Lavinia AccessBemidji, 2 miles northeast
- Lake Bemidji, Lake Bemidji SPK AccessBemidji, 2 miles northeast
- Lake Bemidji, Northwoods AccessBemidji, 2 miles northwest
- Lake Bemidji, Paul Bunyan Park AccessBemidji, 3 miles southwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Bemidji Lake (main lake) basin shape
Volunteers and DNR staff have logged 5 Secchi readings on Bemidji Lake (main lake) since 2006.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Fish found in Bemidji Lake (main lake)
Every species shown for Bemidji Lake (main lake) turned up in a DNR survey or holds a record here.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Limits that apply on Bemidji Lake (main lake)
Statewide inland limits are the whole rule set on Bemidji Lake (main lake).
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Bemidji Lake (main lake) sits in the North-central Zone by map position, which sets the pike and bass rows.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Sizing up Bemidji Lake (main lake) against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bemidji Lake (main lake) | 6,596 | 76 | 1 | 13.67 | |
| Irving Lake South | 3 miles southwest | 662 | 19 | 2 | 5 |
| Big Bass Lake (east basin) | 4 miles northeast | 337 | 17 | 1 | 1.22 |
| Little Bass Lake, Beltrami County | 4 miles east | 363 | 22 | 0 | 1 |
| Stump Lake, Beltrami County | 5 miles east | 323 | 24 | 0 | 0.67 |
| Carr Lake | 5 miles southwest | 42 | 30 | 0 | 1.5 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Beyond the shore of Bemidji Lake (main lake)
More Minnesota lakes near Bemidji Lake (main lake)
- Irving Lake South3 miles southwest
- Big Bass Lake (east basin)4 miles northeast
- Little Bass Lake, Beltrami County4 miles east
- Stump Lake, Beltrami County5 miles east
- Carr Lake5 miles southwest
Minnow buckets filled near Bemidji Lake (main lake)
- Northwoods Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 2 miles
- Kenkatch Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 3 miles
- Northwoods Bait And Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 3 miles
- Trapper's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 7 miles
- Keller Outdoorssporting goods store, Bemidji, 8 miles
- Venture Custom Rodsbait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 9 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Bemidji Lake (main lake)
- Bemidji2 miles
- Wilton7 miles
- Turtle River7 miles
Counties that Bemidji Lake (main lake) reaches
- Beltrami Countyseat: Bemidji
Four Piscifun picks for Bemidji Lake (main lake)
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Fish to look for at Bemidji Lake (main lake)
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Totti, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Handy answers on Bemidji Lake (main lake)
Which DNR office covers Bemidji Lake (main lake)?
In Beltrami County, managed from the Bemidji fisheries office, about 2 miles from Bemidji.
What is the maximum depth of Bemidji Lake (main lake)?
The DNR record gives 6,596 acres, 76 feet at the deepest.
Is there a boat launch on Bemidji Lake (main lake)?
1 public access, with Lake Bemidji, Nymore Beach Access listed first.
Which species has the DNR recorded in Bemidji Lake (main lake)?
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and muskellunge.
When did the DNR last survey Bemidji Lake (main lake)?
August 15, 2022, in a standard survey. walleye ran 13.67 per gill net.
Are there size limits on Bemidji Lake (main lake)?
No special rule; statewide rows in the North-central Zone.
Do kids need a license on Bemidji Lake (main lake)?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
How clear is Bemidji Lake (main lake)?
Average clarity: 7.2 feet.
Where are minnows sold near Bemidji Lake (main lake)?
Drive 2 miles to reach Northwoods Bait & Tackle.
Plan a lake day on Bemidji Lake (main lake)
Minnesota license costs and limits are one click away.