Lake trip · St. Louis County, Minnesota
Where to stay at Bear Island Lake
Bear Island Lake covers 2,362 acres in St. Louis County and carries a water-quality grade of A (Excellent). Compare cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals below, then check the water before you book. Open water runs roughly Apr 28 to Nov 29, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Places to stay near Bear Island Lake
Cabins, resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals near Bear Island Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota — live availability and prices. Add your dates to see totals.
Top-rated places to stay near Bear Island Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Before you book: the water
Bear Island Lake grades A for water quality — Excellent. Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Water clarity is about 7 ft of visibility. Algae (chlorophyll-a) measures 6.4 µg/L.
Best time to visit
Open water runs roughly Apr 28 to Nov 29, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Check the National Weather Service forecast for Bear Island Lake →
About Bear Island Lake
Fish: black crappie, bluegill, cisco species, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass.
Camping & RV near Bear Island Lake
Base your trip at a nearby state park for tent and RV camping and trails, with Bear Island Lake a short drive away — or search all public campgrounds and RV sites in the area on Recreation.gov.
- Bear Head Lake State Park · State Park4.5 mi
- Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park · State Park12.5 mi
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals around Bear Island Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota are on the map above with live availability and nightly prices. Waterfront rentals put you on the dock; lodging in the nearest town is usually cheaper with more choice. Bear Head Lake State Park is about 4.5 miles away for campground options.
Bear Island Lake has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Always check local health-department advisories before swimming.
Open water runs roughly Apr 28 to Nov 29, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Explore Bear Island Lake
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LakeQuality Lake Trip Planner (2026)
Free trip-planning guide for Bear Island Lake: how to pick a clean lake, the water-quality signals that matter, best swimming and fishing windows, and where to stay.
Lodging availability and prices are provided by Stay22 and its booking partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia); LakeQuality may earn a commission from bookings at no extra cost to you. Water-quality grades are independent of lodging listings. Always check current health-department advisories and managing-agency conditions before you travel.