Clear Vue Resort
Bemidji
From $175–$350 / night · year not stated
Lake Bemidji covers about 6,500 acres with the city of Bemidji on its south shore. The Mississippi River flows in from Lake Irving at the south end and out on the east side. Lake Bemidji State Park and most of the resorts are on the north-east shore along Birchmont Drive.
It is a town lake: most anglers stay in Bemidji and fish with a local guide, who often also runs trips to Cass, Red and Leech. Walleye, perch and muskie are the main fish.
I. The lodges
Where to stay
Stay on Birchmont Drive or in the state park to be on the water, or in town to be close to the guides.
5 places to stay
Birchmont Drive & the state park
Ruttger's Birchmont Lodge, Clear Vue's cabins and Lake Bemidji State Park on the north-east shore.
Lake Bemidji State Park Camper Cabins
Bemidji
From $85 / night · year not stated
Lake Bemidji State Park Campground
Bemidji
From $24–$34 / night · year not stated
Lavinia Group Camp (Lake Bemidji State Park)
Bemidji
From $200 / night · 2017
Ruttger's Birchmont Lodge
Bemidji
Call for current rates
0 places to stay
Bemidji
The city on the south shore, where most of the lake's guides are based.
Listings coming soon.
1 place to stay
West shore
The quieter west side of the lake.
Lake Bemidji Bed & Breakfast
Bemidji
Call for current rates
II. On the water
What a guided day costs
| Boat | Full day | Typical | Half day | Typical | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guide boat, 1–2 anglers | $500 | $500 | $350 | $350 | 1 |
| Guide boat, up to 3–4 anglers | $800 | $800 | $400 | $400 | 1 |
"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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dick Beardsley Fishing Guide ServiceBemidji | Call | $350 | Guide boat, 1–2 anglers | bass, walleye, northern pike, muskie, panfish |
| Hooked Up LLC (Nicholas Griffith)Bemidji | $500 | – | Guide boat, 1–2 anglers | walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch |
| Kevin Cochran Musky GuideBemidji | Call | – | muskie | |
| Northcountry Guide ServiceBemidji | $800 | $400 | Guide boat, up to 3–4 | muskie, panfish |
III. Hard water
Ice fishing: day houses and sleepers
Northcountry rents sleepers by the day, and Dick Beardsley rents a heated wheelhouse on Lake Bemidji with gear and bait.
| Outfitter | Day house | Sleeper | How you get out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dick Beardsley Fishing Guide ServiceBemidji | Heated 8x16 wheelhouse on Lake Bemidji with rods, bait and electronics, from $175 for 4 hours (undated) | – | |
| Northcountry Guide ServiceBemidji | 12 hours $150, with heat, rattle reels, tackle and bait (undated) | 24 hours $250, 48 hours $400 (undated) |
IV. The almanac
Seasons at a glance
- May 9, 2026Walleye, sauger and pike seasons open.
- May 23Bass harvest opens.
- June 6 – November 30Muskie season (1 fish, 54-inch minimum).
- February 28, 2027Walleye, sauger, pike and bass seasons close.
- March 15, 2027Every fish house must be off the ice by midnight.
Fishing dates are from the DNR's 2026 regulations.
V. Field notes
The lake by numbers
- Lake Bemidji is about 6,400 to 6,600 acres depending on the source, up to 76 feet deep, with roughly 15 miles of shoreline.
- There are six public boat landings, mostly on the north and west shores.
- The Mississippi enters from Lake Irving at the south end and leaves on the east side, on its way to Cass Lake.
VI. 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.
- Northern pike (North-central Zone): May 9, 2026 – February 28, 2027. 10 in possession, not more than 2 over 26 inches; release every pike from 22 through 26 inches.
- Largemouth bass: catch-and-release only from March 1 to May 22, then 6 combined bass from May 23, 2026 to February 28, 2027.
- Muskie: June 6 – November 30, 1 fish, 54-inch minimum.
- Perch 20 a day and 40 in possession. Crappie 10, sunfish 20.
- Fish houses must be off the ice by midnight on March 15, 2027.
From the DNR's 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations (inland seasons and the North-central pike zone). Lake Bemidji has no special regulation in the 2026 booklet. Rules change each March; check before you fish.
VII. Asked at the dock
Questions people ask
How much does a fishing guide cost on Lake Bemidji?
A guide boat for 1–2 anglers runs $500–$500 for a full day. A guide boat for up to 3–4 anglers runs $800–$800 for a full day. Rates are per boat, not per person, and usually include bait and gas.
Can you camp on Lake Bemidji?
Yes. Lake Bemidji State Park on the north-east shore has a campground (about $24–$34 a night, year not stated) and four camper cabins ($85 a night). A state park vehicle permit is extra.
Sources and photo credits
Photos: Bemidji, Minnesota aerial, Doc Searls from Santa Barbara, USA, CC BY 2.0; Lake Bemidji State Park Sign, Minnesota (35222023325), Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0; Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, Kubber333, CC BY-SA 4.0; Lake Bemidji Minnesota, Lightinacube, CC BY-SA 3.0.
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