Bowstring Shores Resort
Deer River
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Bowstring Lake covers about 9,500 acres north of Deer River in Itasca County, and is shallow, no more than about 32 feet deep. The Bowstring River runs north from it to Sand Lake, about 3,600 acres and up to 70 feet deep, near the town of Squaw Lake and Max.
Nearly all lodging here is family-run cabin resorts in the Chippewa National Forest. Walleye are the main fish, with crappie, pike and perch, and Deer River guides fish these lakes as well as Winnibigoshish.
I. The lodges
Where to stay
Stay on Bowstring for the biggest water, on Sand Lake for deeper water and a choice of resorts, or near Deer River to fish Winnie as well.
5 places to stay
Bowstring Lake
Resorts and campgrounds on Bowstring Lake along Highway 46 and County 35, north of Deer River.
Geiger's Trails End Resort
Deer River
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Georgene's Haven Resort & Campground
Deer River
From $145–$211 / night · 2026
Northern Acres Resort & Campground
Deer River
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Snug Harbor Resort and Campground
Deer River
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13 places to stay
Sand Lake, Squaw Lake & Max
Resorts on Sand, Little Sand, Round and nearby lakes around the town of Squaw Lake and Max.
Anchor Inn Resort
Spring Lake
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Barney's Resort
Spring Lake
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Bright Star Resort
Squaw Lake
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Dixon Lake Resort
Squaw Lake
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Driftwood Resort
Max
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Edgewater Resort on Sand Lake
Spring Lake
From $370–$2,730 / package · 2026
Island View Resort on Sand Lake
Spring Lake
From $1,099–$1,195 / week · 2026
Lakewood Lodge
Deer River
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Leino's Riverside Resort
Squaw Lake
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Pine Grove Lodge
Max
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Rising Eagle Resort
Talmoon
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Sand Lake Lodge
Deer River
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Wausota Resort
Squaw Lake
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7 places to stay
Deer River & Talmoon
Resorts on Ball Club, Island and Jessie lakes, the guides based in Deer River, and an RV park.
Backwoods RV Park
Deer River
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Ball Club Lake Lodge
Deer River
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Hundred Acre Wood Resort
Deer River
From $125 / night · year not stated
Jessie View Resort & RV Campground
Deer River
From $115–$430 / night · 2026
Northshore Bay Resort
Northome
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Ottemann's Lakeside Resort
Northome
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Sleepy Hollow Resort
Northome
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II. On the water
What a guided day costs
| Boat | Full day | Typical | Half day | Typical | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guide boat, 1–2 anglers | $400–$525 | $500 | $330–$450 | $430 | 3 |
"Typical" is the median of published rates. Most operators don't put a year on their rates.
Independent guides
Lodges that run their own guides are listed with the lodges above.
| Guide | Full day | Half day | Boat | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird Fishing Guide Service (Jeff Sundin)Grand Rapids | $525 | $430 | Guide boat, 1–2 anglers | walleye, crappie, yellow perch, northern pike |
| Grand Rapids Guide Service (Lyle Unger)Grand Rapids / Cohasset | Call | – | walleye, crappie, yellow perch | |
| Minnesota Fishing Pros Guide ServiceDeer River | $400 | $330 | Guide boat, 1–2 anglers | walleye |
| Northern Drift OutfittersGrand Rapids | Call | – | walleye, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass | |
| Zup's Guide Service, LLCMapleton (mailing); trips run from the Deer River area | $500 | $450 | Guide boat, 1–2 anglers | walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, crappie |
III. Hard water
Ice fishing: day houses and sleepers
Several resorts rent ice houses or plow roads in winter; check each listing.
| Outfitter | Day house | Sleeper | How you get out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dixon Lake ResortSquaw Lake | Yes | Yes | |
| Hundred Acre Wood ResortDeer River | Yes | – | |
| Zup's Guide Service, LLCMapleton (mailing); trips run from the Deer River area | $125/person/day (2 persons, 2 days minimum) | Premium $175/person/night (2 persons, 2 nights min); Platinum $250/person/night (2 persons, 3 nights min); Trophy $600/day for 2-4 |
IV. The almanac
Seasons at a glance
- May 9, 2026Walleye, sauger and pike seasons open.
- May 23Bass harvest opens.
- February 28, 2027Walleye, sauger and pike seasons close.
- March 15, 2027Every fish house must be off the ice by midnight.
Fishing dates are from the DNR's 2026 regulations.
V. Regulations
Fishing rules
2026–27 season (May 9, 2026 – February 28, 2027)
- Walleye and sauger season: May 9, 2026 – February 28, 2027. 6 combined, only one walleye over 20 inches, except on Sand and Round lakes.
- Sand Lake, with Birds Eye, Little Sand, Portage and Rice lakes and part of the Bowstring River (new for 2026): release every walleye from 20 through 24 inches; only one over 24. Sunfish 5 a day.
- Round Lake near Squaw Lake, with the Popple River down to the Highway 46 bridge: release every walleye from 20 through 24 inches; only one over 24.
- Northern pike (North-central Zone): 10 in possession, not more than 2 over 26 inches; release every pike from 22 through 26 inches.
- Island Lake near Deer River and Little Bowstring Lake: sunfish 5 a day.
- Fish houses must be off the ice by midnight on March 15, 2027.
From the DNR's 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations: inland seasons, the North-central pike zone, and the special regulations for Sand Lake, Round Lake near Squaw Lake and Island Lake near Deer River. Bowstring Lake has no special regulation in the 2026 booklet. Check before you fish.
VI. Asked at the dock
Questions people ask
How much does a fishing guide cost on Bowstring and Sand Lake?
A guide boat for 1–2 anglers runs $400–$525 for a full day. Rates are per boat, not per person, and usually include bait and gas.
Is there a walleye slot on Sand Lake?
Yes, from 2026. On Sand Lake and its connected lakes every walleye from 20 through 24 inches must be released, and only one over 24 inches may be kept. Bowstring Lake has no special walleye rule; the statewide limit applies.
Sources and photo credits
Photos: 2023 Employee Photo Contest (53377414161), Eric Wiersma, USDA Forest Service, Public domain; 2023 Employee Photo Contest (53377860355), Eric Wiersma, USDA Forest Service, Public domain.
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