Lake trip · St. Louis County, Minnesota
Where to stay at Bear Island Lake
Bear Island Lake covers 2,362 acres in St. Louis County, with water clarity of about 7 ft. Compare cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals below. The water-quality readings cover nutrients and algae; they are not a stay-or-skip rating. Open water runs roughly Apr 28 to Nov 29, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
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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
Prices for Sep 18–20, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
About the water
Bear Island Lake has nutrient and algae measurements on record from state and federal monitoring. Water clarity is about 7 ft of visibility. Algae (chlorophyll-a) measures 6.4 µg/L. A water-quality reading is not a swimming clearance. The state water agency and county health departments post current advisories; check them before you swim. The readings are not a reason to skip cabins and rentals around the lake.
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.
Fishing & license
When to fish Bear Island Lake — the seasonal windows by species, from state survey data.
Minnesota fishing license
Anglers under 16 are not required to have a license. Residents age 90+ also exempt. · The Minnesota walleye, northern pike, and bass season opens the Saturday two days before Mother's Day. Most other species are open year-round.
Prices as published by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 2026.
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 nutrient and algae measurements on record from state and federal monitoring. A water-quality reading is not a swimming clearance. The state water agency and county health departments post current advisories; check them before you swim.
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
Every Minnesota lake with its published measurements
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Fish species and best lakes in St. Louis County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its grade
Lakes in the Lake Superior Basin (MN+WI), ranked by water quality
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Minnesota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
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 readings are independent of lodging listings. Always check current health-department advisories and managing-agency conditions before you travel.