Bowstring

Itasca County, Minnesota — DOW #31081300

120 Surveys

Invasive Species Alert

Bowstring has confirmed populations of:

faucet snail
zebra mussel

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

9,528.13

Acres

32 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Bowstring. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-09-13	Fall electrofishing	35.0	—	0.16 lb	53
2010-09-30	Fall electrofishing	20.1	—	0.26 lb	35
2011-09-06	Fall electrofishing	56.0	—	0.01 lb	113
2015-09-21	Fall electrofishing	2.5	—	—	5
2021-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.9	1.04 lb	2
2014-07-28	Standard gill nets	22.6 (above normal)	4.0 – 9.6	0.70 lb	271
1984-07-09	Standard gill nets	7.1 (normal)	4.0 – 9.6	1.23 lb	107
1984-07-09	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 0.9	1.47 lb	6
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	12.3 (above normal)	4.0 – 9.6	1.36 lb	148
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.9	2.90 lb	1
2008-09-12	Fall electrofishing	1.8	—	—	3

Spottail Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	0.7	—	2
2021-07-12	50-ft beach seine	12.3	—	196

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-12	50-ft beach seine	2.4	—	39
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	1.8	—	5

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-12	50-ft beach seine	12.4	—	—	198
2021-07-12	15-ft beach seine	0.3	—	—	1
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	3.5	—	—	10
2021-07-12	Standard trap nets	2.6 (normal)	0.7 – 3.7	0.16 lb	36
2014-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.7	0.19 lb	7
2014-07-28	Standard gill nets	17.3 (normal)	7.1 – 33.9	0.21 lb	207
1984-07-09	Standard trap nets	2.9 (normal)	0.7 – 3.7	0.43 lb	26
1984-07-09	Standard gill nets	42.5 (above normal)	7.1 – 33.9	0.43 lb	638
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.7 – 3.7	0.29 lb	14
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	29.4 (normal)	7.1 – 33.9	0.39 lb	353

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-12	50-ft beach seine	1.6	—	—	25
2021-07-12	15-ft beach seine	0.8	—	—	3
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	0.4	—	—	1
2021-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.3	0.31 lb	8
2014-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.3	0.69 lb	3
1984-07-09	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.3	0.68 lb	4
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.0 – 6.6	0.10 lb	1

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-12	50-ft beach seine	2.6	—	—	41
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	0.7	—	—	2
2021-07-12	Standard trap nets	1.3	—	0.81 lb	18
2014-07-28	Standard gill nets	7.4 (normal)	3.0 – 7.9	1.34 lb	89
2014-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	1.28 lb	10
1984-07-09	Standard gill nets	15.8 (above normal)	3.0 – 7.9	1.30 lb	237
1984-07-09	Standard trap nets	1.2	—	1.00 lb	11
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	12.6 (above normal)	3.0 – 7.9	1.49 lb	151
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.9	—	0.94 lb	13

Tadpole Madtom

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-12	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	0.7	—	2

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-12	50-ft beach seine	16.4	—	—	263
2021-07-12	15-ft beach seine	1.0	—	—	4
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	19.9	—	—	56
2021-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.4 – 1.4	0.45 lb	12

Fathead Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	0.4	—	1

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-12	15-ft beach seine	0.5	—	2
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	3.9	—	11
2021-07-12	50-ft beach seine	8.6	—	137

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	6.0	—	—	17
2021-07-12	Standard trap nets	2.3 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.8	1.97 lb	32
2021-07-12	50-ft beach seine	1.2	—	—	19
2014-07-28	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	1.0 – 3.5	1.31 lb	24
2014-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	2.64 lb	3
1984-07-09	Standard gill nets	3.5 (above normal)	1.0 – 3.5	1.71 lb	53
1984-07-09	Standard trap nets	1.7 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.8	1.84 lb	15
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	4.3 (above normal)	1.0 – 3.5	1.99 lb	51
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.8	2.30 lb	2

SLR

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Standard trap nets	1.0	—	5.45 lb	14
2014-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	5.51 lb	11
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	4.75 lb	2
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	5.40 lb	1

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	1.1	—	—	3
2021-07-12	Standard trap nets	3.4 (below normal)	3.7 – 42.9	0.43 lb	48
2021-07-12	50-ft beach seine	2.7	—	—	43
2014-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	3.7 – 42.9	0.50 lb	8
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	3.7 – 42.9	0.40 lb	1

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	2.1	—	—	6
2021-07-12	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	1.6 – 6.9	0.36 lb	25
2021-07-12	50-ft beach seine	1.4	—	—	22
2014-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.6 – 6.9	0.43 lb	4
1984-07-09	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	1.6 – 6.9	0.41 lb	16
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.7 (below normal)	1.6 – 6.9	0.42 lb	11

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	0.7	—	—	2
2021-07-12	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	0.3 – 2.1	0.43 lb	24
1984-07-09	Standard trap nets	15.1 (above normal)	0.3 – 2.1	0.66 lb	136
1984-07-09	Standard gill nets	6.4 (above normal)	0.5 – 4.1	0.64 lb	96
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 2.1	0.49 lb	15
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 4.1	0.45 lb	2

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Standard trap nets	3.5 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.1	5.00 lb	49
2014-07-28	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.2	0.10 lb	1
2014-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	5.21 lb	12
1984-07-09	Standard trap nets	2.1 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.1	3.47 lb	19
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.2 (normal)	0.1 – 0.2	3.75 lb	2
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	3.97 lb	7

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	0.68 lb	4
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.10 lb	1

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Standard trap nets	4.0 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.55 lb	56
2021-07-12	50-ft beach seine	1.5	—	—	24
2014-07-28	Standard gill nets	8.5 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.1	0.15 lb	102
2014-07-28	Standard trap nets	3.9 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.60 lb	54
1984-07-09	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.2 – 1.1	0.38 lb	13
1984-07-09	Standard trap nets	2.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.46 lb	21
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	1.2 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.1	0.58 lb	14
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.67 lb	13

Burbot

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	8.2	—	23

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Standard trap nets	1.7 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.11 lb	24
2014-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.39 lb	8
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	2.1 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.81 lb	32
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	5.9 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.6	0.95 lb	71

CNM

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	4.3	—	12

Longnose Dace

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	3.9	—	11

Shorthead Redhorse

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Standard trap nets	7.4 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.8	1.91 lb	104
2021-07-12	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	—	1
2014-07-28	Standard gill nets	0.2 (normal)	0.1 – 0.5	2.54 lb	2
2014-07-28	Standard trap nets	1.4 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.8	1.71 lb	20
1984-07-09	Standard gill nets	1.0 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.5	2.23 lb	15
1984-07-09	Standard trap nets	2.8 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.8	1.92 lb	25
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.8 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.5	2.26 lb	10
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.1 – 0.8	2.57 lb	6

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	0.4	—	1
2021-07-12	50-ft beach seine	1.9	—	30

BKF

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	1.1	—	3

Mimic Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-12	50-ft beach seine	0.2	—	3

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2014-07-28	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 5.2	1.36 lb	4
1984-07-09	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 5.2	0.10 lb	3
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 5.2	0.20 lb	3

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.6 – 6.4	0.80 lb	1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Marinas

Bass Lake public Water Access - Whispering Pines

Grand Rapids, MN

★ 3

Grand Rapids Marine

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 326-0351

★ 4.3

Grand Rapids Marine

Grand Rapids, MN

Marine Clinic

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 244-4281

★ 4.9

Mishawaka Outdoors LLC

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 812-8888

NorthStar Barge

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 269-0566

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Bowstring

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Bowstring.

Anchor Inn Resort

Fishing Resort Spring Lake

(218) 659-2718

Birch Haven Resort Closed

Fishing Resort Bovey

(218) 910-9707

Bowen Lodge

Fishing Resort Deer River

(218) 246-8707

Loon Point Resort

Fishing Resort Bigfork

(218) 245-1470

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Bowstring. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Bullhead Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Brown Bullhead Burbot Hybrid Sunfish Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Shorthead Redhorse Silver Redhorse Tullibee (Cisco)Walleye White Sucker Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Bowstring

Bro's Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 340-6051

Early Bird Fishing Guide Jeff Sundin

Fishing Guide

(218) 245-9858

Grand Rapids Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 259-7140

Minnesota Fishing Connections

Fishing Guide

(218) 259-2628

MN Fishing Pros

Fishing Guide

(218) 244-2517

Moo Moo's Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 398-7593

View all 9 guides →

Other Lakes in Itasca County

Plan Your Trip to Bowstring

Weather forecast for Bowstring — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 47.5372°N, 93.9072°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.

Bowstring

Invasive Species Alert

DNR Fish Surveys

Walleye

Spottail Shiner

Johnny Darter

Yellow Perch

Rock Bass

Northern Pike

Tadpole Madtom

Largemouth Bass

Fathead Minnow

Iowa Darter

White Sucker

SLR

Bluegill

Pumpkinseed

Black Bullhead

Bowfin

Hybrid Sunfish

Black Crappie

Burbot

Brown Bullhead

CNM

Longnose Dace

Shorthead Redhorse

Golden Shiner

BKF

Mimic Shiner

Tullibee (Cisco)

Yellow Bullhead

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Best Bet Waxworm Wholesale Bait & Breeder Kits

Bite Me Waxworms Wholesale Bait Shop

Diamond Custom Rods

Fred's Live Bait & Tackle

Frontier Sports

Glen's Army & Navy Store

God's Country Outfitters

Hollywood Bait

Nearby Marinas

Bass Lake public Water Access - Whispering Pines

Grand Rapids Marine

Grand Rapids Marine

Marine Clinic

Mishawaka Outdoors LLC

NorthStar Barge

Resorts & Lodges Near Bowstring

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Bowstring

Other Lakes in Itasca County

Alice

Allen

Amen

Anderson

Ann

Antler

Plan Your Trip to Bowstring