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The lake has a maximum depth of 76 feet and an average depth of 28 feet. It is surrounded by forests and rolling hills, which provide a picturesque backdrop for water-based activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming. The lake is home to a variety of fish species, including walleye, northern pike, bass, and panfish, which are popular targets for anglers.
Bemidji Lake is also an important ecological resource, providing habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. The lake is part of the Mississippi River headwaters and is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to protect and conserve the area's natural resources.
In addition to its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, Bemidji Lake is surrounded by several parks, campgrounds, and resorts, making it a popular vacation destination. The area also offers hiking and biking trails, hunting opportunities, and other outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Bemidji, MN
- How big is Lake Bemidji?
- How deep is Lake Bemidji?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Bemidji?
- What are the closest cities to Lake Bemidji?
- Are there places to stay in the Lake Bemidji area?
- Are there boat launches on Lake Bemidji?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Bemidji?
- What is the average air temp for Lake Bemidji?
- Are there any state parks near Lake Bemidji?
How big is Lake Bemidji?
How deep is Lake Bemidji?
What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Bemidji?
Other fish species in the lake include Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Bluntnose Minnow, Brassy Minnow, Brook Stickleback, Central Mudminnow, Cisco (Tullibee), Common Shiner, Fathead Minnow, Finescale Dace, Golden Shiner, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Lake Whitefish, Logperch, Longnose Dace, Mimic Shiner, Shorthead Redhorse, Spottail Shiner, Tadpole Madtom and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to Lake Bemidji?
Are there places to stay in the Lake Bemidji area?
More Lodging Options
Are there boat launches on Lake Bemidji?
Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Bemidji?
What aquatic invasive species are found in Lake Bemidji?
Join us in the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species These sneaky creatures can hitch a ride on boats, clinging onto propellers, anchor lines, and trailers. They can even survive in hidden places like bilge water and ballast tanks, or disguise themselves in dirt and sand that sticks to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. But don't worry, we have the power to stop them in their tracks with just a few simple steps. So let's do our part and protect our waters from these unwanted invaders.
History & Status of the Fishery
Lake Bemidji is a 6,596-acre lake with a maximum depth of 76 feet located adjacent to the city of Bemidji in southern Beltrami County. There are a total of six public boat landings located around the lake. Accessible fishing piers are located at the inlet of the lake near downtown Bemidji and at Lake Bemidji State Park. Lake Bemidji is part of a connected system of lakes which includes Lake Irving upstream and Stump Lake downstream on the Mississippi River. Both of these lakes are readily accessible by boat from Lake Bemidji and provide additional angling opportunities. The lake is managed primarily for Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike and Muskellunge.
The 2022 catch rate for Walleye was just under 14 fish/gill net which is well above the average for most area lakes. Lengths averaged just over 13 inches and the largest captured during the 2022 survey was over 24 inches. Multiple strong year classes were observed indicating a robust population which continues to keep up despite being one of the most popular Walleye lakes in the area. Night electrofishing for juvenile Walleyes revealed an abundance of smaller fish that will reach catchable sizes in two to three years.
Lake Bemidji is well known for its quality Muskellunge population. Muskies were targeted specifically in the spring of 2022 via night electrofishing. A total of 46 adult muskies were measured with the largest just under 55 inches in length. Impressively, the overall average length was just under 48 inches.
Northern Pike continue to maintain a quality population in Bemidji. Pike averaged almost 4 pounds and the largest captured in the 2022 assessment was over 38 inches long. The pike population is thriving with many fish larger than the 22-26 inch north-central zone protected slot which can provide great open water action or a memorable encounter from the surface of the ice.
The Yellow Perch catch rate was over 30 fish/gill net which is comparable to most area lakes. Yellow Perch averaged over 7 inches in length and fish over 10 inches were captured in the survey, though anglers have reported catching larger fish at times. Perch are one of the most important forage species for Walleye, muskies, and pike.
Other species captured in this survey were Rock Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), White Sucker, Bullhead species, redhorse, and a variety of sunfish species.
Lake Bemidji is infested with zebra mussels and the aquatic plant, starry stonewort. Both are aquatic invasive species (AIS). AIS can be transferred by anglers and boats from infested to non-infested waterbodies. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. Please follow the current AIS regulations to avoid spreading to other lakes.
What is the average air temp for Lake Bemidji?
Are there any state parks near Lake Bemidji?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Lake Bemidji...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Unnamed Lake | 2.6 mi | 175 | |
| Big Bass Lake (west basin) | 3.2 mi | 52 | |
| Lake Irving | 3.4 mi | 661 | 19 ft |
| Big Bass Lake (east basin) | 3.6 mi | 337 | 17 ft |
| Little Bass Lake | 3.7 mi | 363 | 22 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 3.8 mi | 35 | |
| Button Lake | 4.1 mi | 40 | |
| Stump Lake | 4.6 mi | 323 | 24 ft |
| Grass Lake | 4.7 mi | 235 | |
| Unnamed Lake | 4.7 mi | 25 |
