Little Bowstring

Itasca County, Minnesota — DOW #31075800

194 Surveys

Special Regulations for Little Bowstring

This lake has regulations that differ from statewide defaults. Always check before fishing.

Daily limit five.

326.48

Acres

33 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1979-08-20	Standard gill nets	9.7 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.86 lb	58
2021-06-07	Special trap nets	0.2	—	—	6
2021-08-09	Standard gill nets	13.3 (above normal)	3.5 – 10.5	2.11 lb	80
2021-08-09	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	2.45 lb	3
2002-08-19	Standard gill nets	7.8 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.26 lb	62
2002-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	2.00 lb	4
2022-07-18	50-ft beach seine	1.3	—	—	4
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	1.0	—	—	5
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	1.46 lb	5
1989-08-30	Standard gill nets	7.0 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	2.01 lb	35
1989-08-30	Standard trap nets	1.2	—	0.94 lb	7
1984-08-27	Standard gill nets	7.2 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.99 lb	36
1984-08-27	Standard trap nets	2.0	—	1.16 lb	12
1975-09-10	Standard gill nets	2.7 (below normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.71 lb	24
2019-06-03	Special trap nets	0.8	—	—	34

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1979-08-20	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.9	1.00 lb	2
2021-06-07	Special trap nets	0.9	—	—	24
2021-08-09	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.30 lb	4
2021-08-09	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.44 lb	3
2002-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.57 lb	6
2002-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.27 lb	7
2022-07-18	50-ft beach seine	1.0	—	—	3
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	—	1
2022-07-18	Backpack electrofishing	2.9	—	—	3
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.19 lb	4
1989-08-30	Standard trap nets	1.2 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.51 lb	7
1984-08-27	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.45 lb	8
2019-06-03	Special trap nets	0.8	—	—	34
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	0.6	—	—	4

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1979-08-20	Standard gill nets	3.7 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.85 lb	22
2021-08-09	Standard gill nets	3.5 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	2.16 lb	21
2002-08-19	Standard gill nets	11.5 (above normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.53 lb	92
2002-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.7	3.34 lb	3
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.7	0.20 lb	1
1989-08-30	Standard gill nets	6.6 (above normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.87 lb	33
1989-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.7	1.95 lb	2
1984-08-27	Standard gill nets	1.6 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	0.95 lb	8
1984-08-27	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.7	2.10 lb	1
1975-09-10	Standard gill nets	0.9 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.0	2.90 lb	8
2019-06-03	Special trap nets	0.3	—	—	11

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1979-08-20	Standard gill nets	15.5 (normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.17 lb	93
2021-06-07	Special trap nets	0.7	—	—	17
2021-08-09	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.15 lb	14
2021-08-09	Standard gill nets	116.5 (above normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.08 lb	699
2002-08-19	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.13 lb	12
2002-08-19	Standard gill nets	24.3 (normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.14 lb	194
2022-07-18	50-ft beach seine	454.3	—	—	1363
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	77.6	—	—	388
2022-07-18	Backpack electrofishing	131.4	—	—	138
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	2.8 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.11 lb	25
1989-08-30	Standard trap nets	2.8 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.14 lb	17
1989-08-30	Standard gill nets	95.4 (above normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.15 lb	477
1984-08-27	Standard trap nets	2.2 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.17 lb	13
1984-08-27	Standard gill nets	14.2 (normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.11 lb	71
1975-09-10	Standard gill nets	18.0 (normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.11 lb	162
2019-06-03	Special trap nets	1.8	—	—	70
2021-07-14	Backpack electrofishing	11.9	—	—	13
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	35.7	—	—	250

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1979-08-20	Standard gill nets	3.2 (above normal)	0.5 – 2.7	1.54 lb	19
2021-08-09	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.28 lb	5
2002-08-19	Standard gill nets	1.6 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	1.77 lb	13
2022-07-18	Backpack electrofishing	3.8	—	—	4
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.4	3.68 lb	2
2022-07-18	50-ft beach seine	6.3	—	—	19
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	12.4	—	—	62
1989-08-30	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	1.50 lb	6
1984-08-27	Standard gill nets	3.6 (above normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.07 lb	18
1975-09-10	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	1.79 lb	16
2019-06-03	Special trap nets	0.1	—	—	2

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1979-08-20	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	0.75 lb	6
2021-08-09	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	1.40 lb	3
1989-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	0.97 lb	4
1984-08-27	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	0.90 lb	3
1975-09-10	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	1.22 lb	18

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-06-07	Special trap nets	0.9	—	—	24
2021-08-09	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.6	4.63 lb	2
2021-08-09	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.27 lb	4
2002-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.6	2.32 lb	1
2002-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.39 lb	2
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	3.6 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.93 lb	32
1989-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.6	3.30 lb	1
1989-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.63 lb	3
1984-08-27	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.10 lb	1
2019-06-03	Special trap nets	1.7	—	—	67

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-06-07	Special trap nets	6.9	—	0.32 lb	179
2021-08-09	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.48 lb	3
2021-08-09	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.14 lb	5
2002-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.6	—	0.37 lb	5
2002-08-19	Standard trap nets	3.2 (below normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.14 lb	29
2022-07-18	Backpack electrofishing	0.9	—	—	1
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	8.2 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.34 lb	74
2022-07-18	50-ft beach seine	0.3	—	—	1
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	0.4	—	—	2
1989-08-30	Standard trap nets	1.0 (below normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.25 lb	6
1984-08-27	Standard trap nets	1.5 (below normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.32 lb	9
1975-09-10	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.10 lb	1
2019-06-03	Special trap nets	3.5	—	0.45 lb	140
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	0.4	—	—	3

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-06-07	Special trap nets	0.1	—	0.60 lb	3
2021-08-09	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.83 lb	6
2021-08-09	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.49 lb	2
2002-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.39 lb	7
2002-08-19	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.52 lb	10
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.83 lb	15
1989-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.23 lb	3
1989-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.7 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.60 lb	4
1984-08-27	Standard trap nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.50 lb	3
1975-09-10	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.71 lb	9
2019-06-03	Special trap nets	2.6	—	0.55 lb	103

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-06-07	Special trap nets	2.9	—	0.16 lb	74
2021-08-09	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.24 lb	3
2002-08-19	Standard gill nets	1.9	—	0.11 lb	15
2002-08-19	Standard trap nets	1.7 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.07 lb	15
2022-07-18	Backpack electrofishing	8.6	—	—	9
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	1.8 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.16 lb	16
2022-07-18	50-ft beach seine	2.7	—	—	8
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	1.2	—	—	6
1989-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.6	—	0.13 lb	3
1989-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.7 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.20 lb	4
1984-08-27	Standard trap nets	6.0 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.25 lb	36
2019-06-03	Special trap nets	1.5	—	0.24 lb	60
2021-07-14	Backpack electrofishing	1.8	—	—	2
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	1.1	—	—	8

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-06-07	Special trap nets	0.6	—	—	15
2021-08-09	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.51 lb	10
2021-08-09	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.55 lb	2
2002-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.4 (below normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.71 lb	3
2002-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.51 lb	1
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.68 lb	7
2019-06-03	Special trap nets	0.7	—	—	29
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	—	1

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-06-07	Special trap nets	0.1	—	0.45 lb	4
2021-08-09	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.35 lb	3
2019-06-03	Special trap nets	0.1	—	0.60 lb	6

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-08-09	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	2.05 lb	1
2002-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.24 lb	1
2002-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.88 lb	2
2022-07-18	50-ft beach seine	34.7	—	—	104
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	10.0	—	—	50
2022-07-18	Backpack electrofishing	45.7	—	—	48
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	1.46 lb	2
1989-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	2.70 lb	1
1984-08-27	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.25 lb	4
2019-06-03	Special trap nets	0.0	—	3.55 lb	1
2021-07-14	Backpack electrofishing	19.2	—	—	21
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	17.1	—	—	120

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-08-09	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.75 lb	1
2002-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.4 – 2.1	1.17 lb	4
2002-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	1.32 lb	4
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.4 – 2.1	1.09 lb	8
1989-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 2.1	1.34 lb	5
2019-06-03	Special trap nets	0.4	—	—	17

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	16.2	—	81
2022-07-18	50-ft beach seine	1.0	—	3
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	3.0	—	21

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	1
2022-07-18	Backpack electrofishing	4.8	—	5
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	0.7	—	5
2021-07-14	Backpack electrofishing	3.6	—	4

BCS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2022-07-18	Backpack electrofishing	7.6	—	8
2022-07-18	50-ft beach seine	35.3	—	106
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	4.2	—	21
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	2.9	—	20

Mimic Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	6.2	—	31
2022-07-18	50-ft beach seine	0.7	—	2
2021-07-14	Backpack electrofishing	0.9	—	1
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1

Bluntnose Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	38.4	—	192
2022-07-18	Backpack electrofishing	15.2	—	16
2022-07-18	50-ft beach seine	14.3	—	43
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	14.3	—	100
2021-07-14	Backpack electrofishing	5.5	—	6

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	2.4	—	12
2022-07-18	Backpack electrofishing	1.9	—	2
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	1.6	—	11

BKF

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	4.8	—	24
2022-07-18	Backpack electrofishing	33.3	—	35
2022-07-18	50-ft beach seine	43.7	—	131
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	7.6	—	53
2021-07-14	Backpack electrofishing	5.5	—	6

CRC

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2022-07-18	Backpack electrofishing	0.9	—	1
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	0.6	—	3

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.2	0.67 lb	1
1984-08-27	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.3 – 3.2	0.76 lb	8
2019-06-03	Special trap nets	0.1	—	—	2

CNM

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2022-07-18	Backpack electrofishing	4.8	—	5
2021-07-14	Backpack electrofishing	6.4	—	7

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2022-07-18	Backpack electrofishing	1.9	—	2

BRM

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2022-07-18	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	1

Tadpole Madtom

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2022-07-18	Backpack electrofishing	0.9	—	1
2021-07-14	Backpack electrofishing	1.8	—	2
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1

PGS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	3.4	—	24

BST

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-14	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	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 Little Bowstring

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Little 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 Little Bowstring. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

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

Fishing Guides Near Little 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 Little Bowstring

Weather forecast for Little Bowstring — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 47.4936°N, 93.7251°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.

Little Bowstring

Special Regulations for Little Bowstring

DNR Fish Surveys

Northern Pike

Rock Bass

Walleye

Yellow Perch

White Sucker

Tullibee (Cisco)

Bowfin

Bluegill

Black Crappie

Pumpkinseed

Yellow Bullhead

Hybrid Sunfish

Largemouth Bass

Brown Bullhead

BNS

Iowa Darter

BCS

Mimic Shiner

Bluntnose Minnow

Golden Shiner

BKF

CRC

Black Bullhead

CNM

Johnny Darter

BRM

Tadpole Madtom

PGS

BST

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 Little Bowstring

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Little Bowstring

Other Lakes in Itasca County

Alice

Allen

Amen

Anderson

Ann

Antler

Plan Your Trip to Little Bowstring