Bowstring Lake

Bowstring Lake

Size
9193ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Bowstring Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Sturgeon
Sturgeon
Walleye
Walleye

Overview

Often overshadowed by nearby Lake Winnibigoshish, these lakes provide great walleye action. Crappie, northern pike and perch also present. Weedlines concentrate Sand Lake walleye, while midlake structure holds many fish on Bowstring.

Bowstring Lake Map

Features

Bowstring Lake is located within the Leech Lake Indian Reservation and is part of a chain of lakes on the Bowstring River. The lake is often windswept and can be rough. While fishing is generally best on the windward shore, the leeward side is safer during periods of high wind. Fishing pressure on Bowstring is heavy in spring, but only moderate during summer because of its proximity to Lake Winnibigoshish. Bowstring has abundant wild rice beds, but harvesting is restricted to Leech Lake Indian tribal members. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has fish consumption advisories on walleye and northern pike. Check state advisory publication for details. Sand Lake is located within the Leech Lake Indian Reservation and the Chippewa National Forest. It is part of a chain of lakes on the Bowstring River. Like Bowstring, Sand Lake can also become windswept and rough.

Forage

Bowstring Lake - Perch, mimic shiner and Spottail shiner are the most important forage species. White sucker, redhorse, common shiner, golden shiner, blacknose shiner, bluntnose minnow and tullibee are also utilized.Sand Lake - Perch and Spottail shiner are the primary forage species. Blacknose shiner, common shiner, golden shiner, bluntnose minnow, white sucker, Johnny darter and tullibee (cisco) are also present.

Seasonal Movements

Bowstring Lake - Walleye move to the north shore in spring to spawn. Northern pike migrate to Grouse Bay and the Bowstring River inlet during March and April to spawn. Sand Lake - Northern pike move into the Bowstring River, Cedar Creek and the channel to Mushgee Lake to spawn during March and April.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
7-10 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2014
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2014
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.13
0Statewide Range19.6

Bowstring Lake Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2008
Aug
2014
Jul
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202110
Crappie
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2014
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2014
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
3.4
0Statewide Range12.66

Bowstring Lake Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2008
Aug
2014
Jul
Largemouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2008
Aug
Muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Northern pike
fish
13-27 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2014
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2014
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
15.6
0Statewide Range19.75

Bowstring Lake Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2008
Aug
2014
Jul
Perch
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2014
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2014
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
7.8
0Statewide Range43.58

Bowstring Lake Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2008
Aug
2014
Jul
Pumpkinseed
fish
6-9 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2014
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2014
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
1.79
0Statewide Range8.41

Bowstring Lake Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2008
Aug
2014
Jul
Rock bass
fish
8-11 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2014
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2014
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.07
0Statewide Range6.58

Bowstring Lake Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
1996
Aug
2002
Aug
2014
Jul
Smallmouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Sturgeon
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
8-26 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2014
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2014
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
10.2
0Statewide Range16.93

Bowstring Lake Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2008
Aug
2014
Jul