Little Bear Lake, Wisconsin, USA

Burnett County, in Wisconsin’s great Northwoods region, was once buried under massive Glacial Lake Grantsburg. As the glacier slowly retreated, over 500 lakes and dozens of creeks and rivers were left behind. Little Bear Lake, located near the town of Webb Lake, is a result of the great glacier. At 128 acres, and with just over two miles of shoreline, the lake is abundant with fish and…
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All About Little Bear Lake, WI

Burnett County, in Wisconsin’s great Northwoods region, was once buried under massive Glacial Lake Grantsburg. As the glacier slowly retreated, over 500 lakes and dozens of creeks and rivers were left behind. Little Bear Lake, located near the town of Webb Lake, is a result of the great glacier. At 128 acres, and with just over two miles of shoreline, the lake is abundant with fish and conveniently located near wilderness trails providing access for hiking, wildlife observation, and spectacular scenery.

Although one of the smaller lakes in the area, Little Bear Lake features a sandy beach, bath house, picnic grounds, and a marina. With a maximum depth of 55 feet, the lake is also a great fishing lake. Sport fish in the lake include largemouth bass, northern pike, crappie, and bluegill. Additional fishing and water related sports can be found at six lakes within a short drive of Little Bear Lake and 26 lakes within a scenic half hour drive. Approximately 125 of Burnett County’s lakes have public access. Lakes owned by private resorts offer access to guests only. Boat, canoe and pontoon rentals and sales, bait and tackle shops and experienced fishing guides are available throughout the county. Whether you enjoy cruising the lake in your own powerboat, fishing, water skiing, tubing, swimming or just watching the sunset over the crystal clear water, Little Bear Lake and the surrounding waters can offer it all.

Visitors to Little Bear Lake can choose lodging accommodations from wilderness campsites to luxurious resorts, along with campgrounds, waterfront cottages, log cabins, RV parks and a wide variety of vacation rentals. Real estate for sale can also be found near the lake for those interested in a seasonal dwelling or year-round residence.

Springtime at Little Bear Lake brings a bouquet of colorful wildflowers and budding forests as well as fantastic fishing for trout in nearby creeks. During the summer you will find hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, off road motorcycle and ATV trails. Leisurely drives along the many forest roads offers scenic views and opportunities for berry picking. Autumn brings the dramatic changing of leaves. Burnett County vistas offer acres of flaming foliage. The county also abounds with whitetail deer, small game and black bear. The winter months bring popular pastimes of snowmobiling, snowboarding, downhill skiing, tubing and more. Little Bear Lake also offers quiet and peaceful surroundings for cross-country skiing, and snow shoeing.

Outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts visiting Little Bear Lake will be drawn to Burnett County’s five wildlife areas managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. They include Crex Meadows near Grantsburg, Amsterdam Sloughs near Siren, Fish Lake Wildlife Area near Trade River, Danbury Wildlife Area, and the Namekagon Barrens in the northeast corner of the county. Together, the areas offer more than 50,000 acres of woods, wetlands, bogs and open prairie. The woods are home to more than 250 species of birds, including trumpeter swans, great blue herons, ospreys, sandhill cranes, eagles, and thousands of ducks and geese. Some areas are wildlife preserves, but others are open for hunting and trapping.

North and west of Little Bear Lake, the St. Croix River, which forms Burnett County’s boundary with Minnesota, is one of the original eight rivers in the 1968 National Wild and Scenic Rivers act. The St. Croix and its major tributary, the Namekagon, form one of the most beautiful and least developed river systems in the upper Midwest. The river offers more than 150 miles of wild and scenic water for canoeing and kayaking.

South of Little Bear Lake, the resort community of Voyager Village boasts 6,000 acres of pristine woods and private lakes where visitors and residents can enjoy a wealth of recreational activities including golf, boating, fishing, beautiful beaches, fine dining, and much more.

Golfers visiting Little Bear Lake will find several golf courses open to the public in Burnett County, including one that is rated among the ten best in Wisconsin. For those who would rather shop, the town of Webb Lake offers antique, craft and specialty shops, flea markets, garage sales and craft shows. The exciting sport of watercross, where snowmobiles cross open water at top speeds, began in Burnett County. The annual world championship competition, held every July on Grantsburg’s Memory Lake, draws competitors and spectators from all over the world.

Visitors to Little Bear Lake will have no trouble enjoying the lake and surrounding area of Burnett County – roast marshmallows over an open fire, hike quiet woodland trails, boat, fish or swim on 128 acres of crystal clear water off pristine sandy beaches, This beautiful lake is sure to become a repeat vacation destination for anglers and anyone who loves the great outdoors.

Things to Do at Little Bear Lake

These are some activities in the Little Bear Lake, WI area visitors can enjoy:

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Fishing
  • Boating
  • Swimming
  • Beach
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Water Skiing
  • Tubing
  • Golf
  • Camping
  • Campground
  • Picnicking
  • Cabin Rentals
  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Downhill Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Cross-Country Skiing
  • Snowmobiling
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hunting
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Birding
  • Antiquing

What Kind of Fish Are in Little Bear Lake?

Little Bear Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

  • Bass
  • Black Bass
  • Bluegill
  • Crappie
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Northern Pike
  • Pike
  • Sunfish
  • Trout
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Find Places to Stay at Little Bear Lake

If you’re considering a Little Bear Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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More Sites to Book a Little Bear Lake Vacation

Our interactive Little Bear Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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Little Bear Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

Surface Area: 128 acres

Shoreline Length: 2 miles

Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 981 feet

Average Depth: 27 feet

Maximum Depth: 55 feet

Water Volume: 3,438 acre-feet

Trophic State: Oligotrophic

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