Bear Island Lake

Bear Island Lake sits at a C on the grading scale — not impaired, not pristine, with summer measurements that vary year to year. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Bear Island Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. Bear Island Lake is unusually deep for Minnesota at 62 ft, which buffers the lake against summer warming and helps the deep water stay oxygenated. At 2,362 acres, Bear Island Lake is one of the larger lakes in St. Louis County, with 28.5 miles of shoreline supporting multiple distinct use patterns. Within St. Louis County's 187 graded lakes, Bear Island Lake ranks 109 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.

No invasive species are currently listed at Bear Island Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 13 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. A documented public access point at Bear Island Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The lake has a partial ice record — 6 observed ice-outs, centered near Apr 28. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.