Bowstring Lake Fishing
Itasca County, 9,528 acres, 32 feet deep.
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The short version on Bowstring Lake
Bowstring Lake is a lake of 9,528 acres in Itasca County. Depth bottoms out near 32 feet, with an average of 14.5 feet. 4,893 acres, about 51% of the total, are less than 15 feet deep. A drive of about 12 miles reaches Squaw Lake, the nearest city. It falls under the Grand Rapids area fisheries office.
Recent DNR surveys found walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. There are 3 public water accesses around the lake. The most recent population assessment dates to July 28, 2014. The walleye catch of 22.58 per gill net was above the DNR normal range of 4.0-9.6.
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From the population assessment completed July 28, 2014: catch, catch per set and average weight against the DNR normal ranges.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 271 | 22.58 | 4.0-9.6 | 0.7 | 1.1-1.9 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 89 | 7.42 | 3.0-7.9 | 1.34 | 1.7-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 10 | 0.71 | 1.28 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 207 | 17.25 | 7.1-33.9 | 0.21 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 7 | 0.5 | 0.7-3.7 | 0.19 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 102 | 8.5 | 0.2-1.1 | 0.15 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 54 | 3.86 | 0.3-1.7 | 0.6 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 8 | 0.57 | 3.7-42.9 | 0.5 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | Standard gill nets | 4 | 0.33 | 0.5-5.2 | 1.36 | 0.4-1.0 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard trap nets | 4 | 0.29 | 1.6-6.9 | 0.43 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Rock bass | Standard trap nets | 3 | 0.21 | 0.7-3.3 | 0.69 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Brown bullhead | Standard trap nets | 8 | 0.57 | 0.3-1.7 | 1.39 | 0.7-1.1 |
Gill net catch on Bowstring Lake by species
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Survey narrative for Bowstring Lake
“Bowstring Lake is a class 22 lake located 12 miles northwest of Deer River, MN.”
“The lake has four public accesses and moderate shoreline development.”
“The 2009 lake management plan indicates Walleye and Black Crappie as the primary species of management with Northern Pike and Yellow Perch as secondary species.”
“In the spring of 2007 a special Northern Pike regulation was implemented that require all fish from 22 to 36 inches to be released and only one fish over 36 inches could be possessed.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Bowstring Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Public water accesses on Bowstring Lake
- Bowstring Lake (S) Access2 ramps, 20 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Bowstring Lake (NE) Access1 ramp, 24 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Bowstring Lake (NW) Access1 ramp, 7 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, U.S. Forest Service
Public accesses close to Bowstring Lake
- Sand Lake Access near Squaw LakeSand, 4 miles northwest
- Little Jessie Lake AccessLittle Jessie, 4 miles northeast
- Bowstring River, #3 AccessBowstring River, 5 miles east
- First River Lake AccessFirst River, 6 miles southwest
- Cut Foot Sioux Lake, Mosomo AccessCut Foot Sioux, 6 miles west
- Rush Island Lake AccessRush Island, 6 miles north
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Structure of Bowstring Lake
3 clarity readings on Bowstring Lake date from 2008 onward.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
How high Bowstring Lake is running
Readings in the DNR record for Bowstring Lake come from gauge readers, so each one is dated.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish swimming in Bowstring Lake
Survey catches from the DNR set this Bowstring Lake species list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Bowstring Lake rules from the DNR booklet
Statewide inland limits cover Bowstring Lake; the DNR lists no special rule for it.
| 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 |
By location Bowstring Lake belongs to the North-central Zone; check posted boundaries near the lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
How Bowstring Lake stacks up nearby
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowstring Lake | 9,528 | 32 | 3 | 22.58 | |
| Portage Lake, Itasca County | 4 miles northwest | 715 | 60 | 0 | 1.33 |
| Little Jessie Lake | 5 miles east | 628 | 50 | 1 | 6.33 |
| Jessie Lake, Itasca County | 6 miles northeast | 1,740 | 42 | 1 | 20.33 |
| Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake | 6 miles west | 619 | 20 | 1 | 0.75 |
| Bird's Eye Lake | 6 miles northwest | 80 | 50 | 0 | 0.33 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
What sits close to Bowstring Lake
Lakes one stop past Bowstring Lake
- Portage Lake, Itasca County4 miles northwest
- Little Jessie Lake5 miles east
- Jessie Lake, Itasca County6 miles northeast
- Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake6 miles west
- Bird's Eye Lake6 miles northwest
Bait shops an easy drive from Bowstring Lake
- Winnie Trading Postsporting goods store, Deer River, 8 miles
- Bite Me Waxworms & Bait Cobait and tackle shop, Deer River, 15 miles
- The Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Itasca, 15 miles
- Fred's Live Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Deer River, 15 miles
- The Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Deer River, 15 miles
- River Rat Baitbait and tackle shop, Cohasset, 20 miles
Towns to stay in near Bowstring Lake
- Squaw Lake12 miles
- Ball Club14 miles
- Deer River15 miles
Bowstring Lake and its counties
- Itasca Countyseat: Grand Rapids
Reels and a weigh grip for Bowstring Lake
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Catches common at Bowstring Lake
Photo: Tommy Andriollo, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: George Chernilevsky, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Bowstring Lake, asked by anglers
Which Minnesota county is Bowstring Lake in?
Look in Itasca County, managed from the Grand Rapids fisheries office, about 12 miles from Squaw Lake.
How does Bowstring Lake rank by size?
LakeFinder lists 9,528 acres, 32 feet at the deepest.
Which access serves Bowstring Lake?
3 public accesses; Bowstring Lake (S) Access is one.
Which fish can I hook in Bowstring Lake?
On file: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and cisco.
What did the last survey of Bowstring Lake find?
The newest is a population assessment from July 28, 2014. walleye ran 22.58 per gill net.
Are the statewide limits in force on Bowstring Lake?
The statewide table covers it (North-central Zone).
Which Minnesota license do I need on Bowstring Lake?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Is there a level gauge on Bowstring Lake?
Clarity averages 5.3 feet on the Secchi disk.
Who sells leeches near Bowstring Lake?
Winnie Trading Post, about 8 miles away.
Add Bowstring Lake to the summer list
Check the limits, then pick an access above.