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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 6,420 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 primarily on the north and west shores of 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 from Lake Bemidji and provide additional varied angling opportunities.
Lake Bemidji is managed primarily as a walleye lake. Consistent natural reproduction and decent growth rates make Lake Bemidji one of the most consistent walleye fisheries in the Bemidji area. The 2012 population assessment documented a robust walleye population with twelve year classes present. The gill net catch rate of 15.3 fish/gill net was well above the statewide normal range for class 22 lakes. Sixty percent of the walleye captured in the 2012 population assessment were between 12 and 17 inches in length, which translates to plenty of "keeper" size walleye in the population. Good recruitment of young walleye from the 2009 through 2011 year classes also bodes well for the fishery in the near term. The largest walleye captured in the 2012 assessment measured 26.8 inches in length, although larger walleye are likely present in the population. Lake Bemidji has abundant and diverse in-lake habitat, with no shortage of areas for walleye anglers to ply their favorite tactics in open-water or through the ice.
Lake Bemidji has earned a reputation as a trophy muskellunge fishery, with fish exceeding 50 inches in length caught by anglers annually. Muskellunge are not sampled effectively in standard population assessments, so little biological information on the Lake Bemidji musky population has been collected recently. Fishing pressure directed toward Lake Bemidji's musky population is considerable during certain times of the year.
Lake Bemidji is also known as a reliable yellow perch fishery. In 2012, 12% of the yellow perch captured were greater than 9 inches in length with fish approaching 12 inches also present in the sample.
Northern pike are also a popular species in Lake Bemidji. The 2012 catch rate of 2.07 fish/gill net is less than the statewide normal range for class 22 lakes; however, this low density is typical of the lake's pike population which has maintained a good size structure, unlike many Minnesota lakes that are characterized by an overabundance of small fish. The average length and weight of northern pike in the 2012 assessment was 23.6 inches and 3.09 pounds.
Although panfish species (sunfish, black crappie) are present in Lake Bemidji, their population levels have remained at "background" levels in the fish community, and typically do not attract much angling effort. Anglers interested in panfish opportunities can venture to the connected waters of Stump Lake and Lake Irving, which have habitats that are better suited to these species.
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 | |
| 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 |
| Stump Lake | 4.6 mi | 323 | 24 ft |
| Carr Lake | 4.8 mi | 42 | 30 ft |
| Lake Marquette | 5.8 mi | 528 | 51 ft |
| Movil Lake | 6.0 mi | 853 | 50 ft |
| Little Gnat Lake | 6.1 mi | 34 | 30 ft |
| Buck Lake | 6.3 mi | 271 | 40 ft |
| Meadow Lake | 6.5 mi | 118 | 28 ft |
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