Bowstring Lake
Itasca County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data
Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 31081300
Bowstring Lake has no DNR stocking rows in LakeFinder; this page carries its DNR depth, access and survey data.
- Bowstring Lake shows no stocking records in Minnesota DNR LakeFinder as of .
- Maximum depth 32 ft; surface area 9,528 acres, 4,736 littoral acres, 34.1 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
- Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 5.3 ft.
- Fish species DNR lists here: black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, burbot, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, and 5 more.
- 4 public accesses on the DNR list.
- Most recent DNR fish survey: (targeted survey).
- Itasca County, nearest town Deer River; DNR lake number (DOW) 31081300.
Depth map
Bathymetric contours from the Minnesota DNR lake survey mapped 6/5/1978 (orig map); depths in feet. Simplified for the web; not for navigation.
Public accesses
| Type | Owner | Where |
|---|---|---|
| concrete ramp | Minnesota DNR | Locally known as Oteneagen access and located on the south end of the lake. |
| concrete ramp | Minnesota DNR | On the northeast corner of the lake, approximately one quarter mile east of Bowstring Lodge and Indian head painted on large boulder. |
| gravel ramp | USF | On the north lakeside corner of Cow Bay, east of Inger off of Co. Rd. 146. |
| concrete ramp | Minnesota DNR | Located in the northwest corner of the lake by the Trails End Resort. |
DNR fish survey, 2025
Bowstring Lake is located 12 miles northwest of Deer River, Minnesota. Fall, night electrofishing was conducted to sample young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleye. The survey was the first since adult zebra mussels were found in 2020. The surface water temperatures and weather were good for sampling young Walleye. Water levels were very low and visibility was clear for all stations. The sampling stations that were previously considered very good were now full of vegetation following the introduction of zebra mussels, especially water celery. Lakes with relatively low to no vegetation in the electrofishing stations have consistently been better for sampling YOY Walleye. If these conditions remain, sampling young Walleye will likely become more challenging in the future. Anglers should note that reproduction and recruitment is variable in Walleye populations. Fall electrofishing can be an effective tool to document Walleye reproduction and/or survival to their first fall when conducted as part of a long-term evaluation, but individual electrofishing events are often a poor indicator of year-class strength or future angling success. Natural reproduction and survival of young Walleye appeared to be poor among area lakes in 2025. The seven stations were sampled for more than 1 hour and 35 minutes and no YOY Walleye were observed. Ten adult Walleye were observed and they appeared in good condition. Substantially more Largemouth Bass and panfish were noted. Some stations had abundant shiners and YOY Yellow Perch, though only one adult perch was observed. A few YOY Burbot, modest numbers of Brown and Yellow Bullhead, and small, skinny Northern Pike were also observed.
Minnesota DNR survey narrative, .
All Minnesota stockings · every Minnesota lake with a page · state CSV · this lake on DNR LakeFinder
Stocking rows, depths, accesses and survey figures are Minnesota DNR LakeFinder data as of 2026-09-02; contours are the DNR bathymetric survey. Regulations, slot limits and special rules are on the DNR page linked above, not here.
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