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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
18-acre lake near Lake County. The lake tops out around 60 ft. The depth chart comes from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
The outline encloses 18 acres, worked by 0.7 miles of shoreline. Its 1.2 shoreline index means few bank features; the contours below do the pattern work. About 21% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Call it 0.3 mi long. It sits in Lake County. Bean sits 1 mi southwest — the closest neighbouring chart.
When the water first warms, lake trout slide up into 10 to 40 ft. By summer they slide out to 18 to 60 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 60 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 59 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Keep a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger rigged through the warm months.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 18 to 60 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (59 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | open water | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (59 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Come spring, look for splake tight to the bank in 5 to 25 ft. Expect a summer slide to 25 to 60 ft, then a winter hold in 10 to 45 ft. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 59 ft of water and rates prime come summer. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. A trolled spoon at the thermocline or a white tube jig (deep) is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Small casting spoon (gold/orange), Inline spinner |
| Summer | 25 to 60 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (59 ft) | Trolled spoon at the thermocline, White tube jig (deep) |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Casting spoon, Jerkbait |
| Winter | 10 to 45 ft | dawn | Deep basin (59 ft) | Jigging spoon tipped with minnow head, Small white tube |
Spring rainbow trout on Bear hold shallow, usually 5 to 20 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 8 to 40 ft. The chart's best answer is Shallow bay flat — weed flat, 6 ft, good for spring. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Back-bay flat (17 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | open water | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Bear carries 3 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Deep basin, about 59 ft down.
Access data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) — community-mapped launches. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* | Splake (fingerlings) | 775 | — |
* Approximate date (agency reports month or season only). Source: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports, retrieved 2026-09-23.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Minnesota waters are set by the Minnesota DNR — and special regulations can apply to Bear specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Minnesota fishing regulations →
Bear is about 60 ft (18 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target lake trout, splake, rainbow trout on Bear.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 59 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
For lake trout, the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Yes — per Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports records, Bear was most recently stocked 2025 with 775 splake (fingerlings). The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on Bear is regulated by the Minnesota DNR. Check the official Minnesota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Bean 1 mi · Lax 2 mi · Tetagouche 2 mi · Micmac 3 mi · Bear 3 mi · Nicado 4 mi · Nipisiquit 4 mi · Johnson 6 mi · Kangas 8 mi · Sink 11 mi · Katherine 12 mi · Sonju 12 mi
See how Bear stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Minnesota · best lake trout lakes in Minnesota · best splake lakes in Minnesota
More water nearby: Lake County fishing maps (313 charts). Browse all Minnesota fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.