Bowen Lake

How big is Bowen Lake?

How deep is Bowen Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Bowen Lake?

What are the closest cities to Bowen Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Bowen Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Bowen Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Bowen Lake

Are there boat launches on Bowen Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Bowen Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Bowen Lake?

A targeted survey of the nearshore and littoral fish community, as well as coldwater habitat, in Bowen Lake was conducted by Fisheries Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff from 23-24 August 2022. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 15-foot or 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sites with three sites sampled from the boat due to deep water and dense wild rice and lilies. A 50-foot seine was used to sample four sites, a 15-foot seine was used at four sites, and soft sediments with abundant vegetation and deep water prevented the use of seines at two sampling sites. Nearshore sampling captured 23 native species of fish including eight species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) and no species that are tolerant of disturbance.

A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted on 23-24 August 2022 by IBI Program Staff. Eight trap nets were set along the shoreline that encompassed multiple habitat types. Yellow Perch and Bluegill comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number and White Sucker, Bluegill, and Northern Pike comprised a majority of the catch by biomass. The number of Bluegill sampled per net was near but above the 25% quartile for similar Lake Class 31 lakes and the average length was 6.1 inches, with 37% over 7 inches.

The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a July 2019 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.

A temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was collected in the deepest basin on Bowen Lake on August 8th, 2022, to evaluate the amount of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee. Based on the profile, the top of the thermocline (i.e., the location in the water column with the sharpest transition from warm to cold water) occurred at approximately 19 feet. Dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L at 12.2 feet, which was above the thermocline, at the time of sampling. The temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 22.2°C (72.0°F).

A TDO3 value warmer than 21.5°C indicates that oxythermal conditions are stressful for Cisco. Low dissolved oxygen concentrations (less than 3 mg/L) near the thermocline and warm surface temperatures would limit Cisco distribution within the water column. Data collected in 1967 further indicates poor oxythermal habitat. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Results from this survey indicate that the warmwater fish community in Bowen Lake is in good health as indicated by an exceptionally high FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. However, the TDO3 value indicated coldwater habitat conditions were stressful and not favorable to support Cisco at the time of the survey. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community, and the coldwater habitat, to the Pine River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

What is the average air temp for Bowen Lake?

Are there any state parks near Bowen Lake?