Bear Lake

Bear Lake covers about 662 acres inside Bear Head Lake State Park, roughly 12 miles southwest of Ely. It carries a Superior National Forest district label in some records, but the lake itself sits inside a state park rather than the wilderness: a paved boat ramp and campground sit right on its northwest bay, and reaching it means a state park vehicle permit and a short drive rather than a portage.

The lake reaches 46 feet at its deepest but averages only about 12 feet, warming enough by midsummer that it stratifies into layers, with water still holding enough oxygen for fish down to somewhere between 15 and 35 feet depending on the season. Weeds grow out to about 12 feet, mostly in the northwest and south bays, and the bottom runs mostly rubble and gravel. Old slab wood left over from a lumber mill that once operated on the lake still turns up on the lakebed.

Walleye and northern pike carry the fishery, with pike running large enough that some top 30 inches. Bluegill dominate the panfish catch but grow slowly and stay small, so a reduced daily limit of five has applied since 2021 to protect the population. Largemouth bass show up more often than net surveys suggest, some reaching 18 inches, and black crappie and white sucker round out the lake.

Motors are allowed but limited to 10 mph, which keeps the water calm even with boat traffic in and out of the campground landing. Minnesota residents can fish here without a separate angling license, an exemption tied to the state park that doesn't carry over to the wilderness lakes a few miles east.

One backcountry campsite sits on the lake for paddlers who want a night on the water without leaving the park. Bear Lake suits a family fishing trip or a night of car camping more than a wilderness stay, its paved ramp and campground setting it apart from the portage lakes that start just a few miles away.