Bear Lake (Kalkaska County)
Bear Lake is in eastern Kalkaska County in the Manistee River watershed. It is a deep two-story lake with warm shallows and cold water for trout.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Smallmouth Bass
Most common gamefish in the 2004 survey
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Brown Trout
12 inch minimum
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Rainbow Trout
Shorelines and inlets in cool months, deeper water in summer.
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Bear Lake DNR access siteRampSoutheast corner. Paved ramp, parking for about six vehicles with trailers.Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the Michigan DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Brown Trout Type B trout lake per 2005 DNR survey; confirm in the current digest | 12 in | 5 trout combined |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Michigan Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Bear Lake (Kalkaska County) ↗Local tips
- The lake is up to 60 feet deep, so trout hold in the cold deep water.
- About 130 homes ring the shore, so keep noise down.
- Parking is limited to about six rigs.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Michigan lakes
Torch Lake (Antrim County) Lake Charlevoix Burt Lake Mullett Lake Lake Gogebic Manistique Lake Black Lake Crystal Lake All Michigan lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.