Bear Island (Minnesota)

Infobox lake
lake_name = Bear Island Lake
image_lake =
caption_lake = Bear Island is one of many in the lake
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = St. Louis County, Minnesota
coords = coord|47|46|24|N|91|58|46|W|type:waterbody_region:US|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = Beaver River
outflow = Bear Island River
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length = convert|4|mi|km|abbr=on
width = convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on
area = convert|2351|acre|km2
depth =
max-depth =
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands = 23
cities = Rothman, Babbit
frozen =

Bear Island is an island in Bear Island Lake, which is about convert|15|mi|km southwest of Ely in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The lake measures convert|2351|acre|km2, or about convert|2|mi|km by convert|4|mi|km. In addition to Bear Island, which is by far the largest and sits right in the middle of the lake, there are at least 20 other islands in the lake. The shoreline of the natural glacial lake is about two-thirds state and national forest, including Bear Island State Forest. While deep in parts, several shallow bays and natural sand beaches make it a popular swimming spot.

Fishing

The lake is a naturally self-sustaining lake and includes a large variety of fish, such as walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, sunfish, pumpkinseed and perch. The major inlet for Bear Island Lake is the Beaver River, which has rapids and beaver dams that limit fish movement. The lake's major outlet is Bear Island River, which has an old dam that also limits fish movement at low water. Aquatic plants grow to a depth of convert|7|ft|m and are sparse along most of the shoreline of Bear Island Lake.

kiing

The [http://www.ely.org/winter/bear_island.php Bear Island Ski Trail] contains convert|10|mi|km of groomed cross country trails. This two-section trail system winds through Superior National Forest, with a pinic rock along the trail to Perch Lake, and another section that follows the shoreline of Bear Island Lake.

Other Places

Another nearby lake is called Bear Head Lake and is part of Bear Head Lake State Park, along with Big Island, which is in nearby Eagles Nest Lake, which is actually three separate lakes named No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. Farther north, along the Canadian border, is Round Bear Island, which is in Kabetogama Lake and is part of Voyageurs National Park. Finally, there is White Bear Lake, which is the name of a city and lake northeast of Minneapolis.

External links

* [http://maps.dnr.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/drgs.pl?&x=577386.5048&y=5291914.1888&layer=100k&size=3 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Topographical Map of Bear Island and Bear Island Lake]
* [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showreport.html?downum=69011500 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Bear Island Lake]