Bowen Lake
Cass County, Minnesota, near Backus. DNR lake ID 11035000.
Bowen Lake is a 182.2-acre lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Backus. Its deepest point reaches 25 ft, and about 27% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 8.6 feet in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring, which places it in the mesotrophic nutrient class. The DNR lists it for starry stonewort, zebra mussel. DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch.
Buying or selling on Bowen Lake? Ask us what lakeshore here actually sells for, which stretches of shoreline buyers compete for, and what’s coming up before it’s listed.
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Quick facts
| DNR lake ID | 11035000 |
|---|---|
| County | Cass County, near Backus |
| Surface area | 182.2 acres |
| Maximum depth | 25 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 27% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 8.6 ft through 2024 |
| Phosphorus (summer) | 30.7 µg/L |
| Algae, chlorophyll-a (summer) | 4.8 µg/L |
| Nutrient class | Mesotrophic |
| Invasive species | starry stonewort, zebra mussel |
| Public water accesses | 1 |
Water quality
Summer averages from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring through 2024: clarity 8.6 ft, phosphorus 30.7 µg/L, algae (chlorophyll-a) 4.8 µg/L. Using the Carlson trophic state index, Bowen Lake rates as mesotrophic.
Fishing on Bowen Lake
The most recent DNR standard fish survey was in 2022 (4 years ago). Catch per net is compared with the DNR’s typical range for lakes of the same type.
| Species | Net | Catch per net | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | trap | 0.12 | 0.3 to 0.7 |
| Northern pike | trap | 1.12 | n/a |
| Yellow perch | trap | 11.88 | 0.5 to 3.3 |
| Black crappie | trap | 2.12 | 0.7 to 3.4 |
| Bluegill | trap | 9.88 | 6.1 to 46.6 |
| Largemouth bass | trap | 0.25 | 0.3 to 1.3 |
| Pumpkinseed | trap | 2.0 | 2.0 to 8.5 |
| Rock bass | trap | 0.75 | 0.5 to 1.8 |
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Walleye 22.0 in (2022), Northern pike 26.0 in (2022), Largemouth bass 6.0 in (2022).
Game and panfish documented since 2005: Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid sunfish, Rock bass, Tullibee (cisco), Bowfin, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Brown bullhead.
Fishing regulations
No lake-specific regulation found in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
Regulations change. Confirm with the DNR before fishing.
Invasive species
On the Minnesota DNR infested waters list for: starry stonewort (listed 2022), zebra mussel (listed 2025).
Public boat access
- Bowen Lake: 1 concrete slab launch ramp, 1 dock, 6 trailer spaces. 1 mile South of Backus on MN Hwy. 371, then 0.5 mile East on the South Bowen Lake Road. Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Nearby lakes
- Lind Lake 1.0 mi, Cass County
- Pine Mountain Lake 2.2 mi, Cass County
- Sanborn Lake 2.3 mi, Cass County
- Brockway Lake 2.7 mi, Cass County
- Fawn Lake 2.8 mi, Cass County
- Eagle Lake 2.9 mi, Cass County
- Johnson Lake 2.9 mi, Cass County
- Horseshoe Lake 3.0 mi, Cass County
Questions about Bowen Lake
How deep is Bowen Lake?
Bowen Lake reaches a maximum depth of 25 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 27% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is Bowen Lake?
Bowen Lake covers about 182.2 acres in Cass County, Minnesota.
How clear is Bowen Lake?
Summer water clarity on Bowen Lake averages 8.6 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2024. Its trophic state is mesotrophic.
Does Bowen Lake have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
The Minnesota DNR infested waters list includes Bowen Lake for starry stonewort, zebra mussel.
What fish are in Bowen Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, rock bass, tullibee (cisco) in Bowen Lake. The most recent standard survey was in 2022.
Where is the public boat access on Bowen Lake?
Bowen Lake has 1 public water access site on DNR record: Bowen Lake.
How is the walleye population on Bowen Lake?
In Minnesota DNR net surveys from 1994 to 2019, walleye numbers on Bowen Lake ran mostly within the typical range for similar lakes. Nets measure how many fish a lake holds, not where they’re biting, so local guides are the best source for current fishing.
Are there lake homes for sale on Bowen Lake?
Homes on Bowen Lake come up for sale throughout the year, and some sell before they’re ever publicly advertised. Tell us what you’re looking for and our agents will run a custom search and send you matching homes on Bowen Lake and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on Bowen Lake?
Small, quiet water suited to paddling and fishing, about 27% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 8.6 feet. Conditions vary by property, so walk the frontage and ask us what similar homes have sold for.
Are there special fishing regulations on Bowen Lake?
No lake-specific regulation was found for Bowen Lake in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
Ask us about Bowen Lake
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious, our team works Cass County lakes every day. Send us a note or call (218) 656-6469.
Sources: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder records, DNR fish surveys (latest 2022), DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026), Minnesota Rules 6264.0400 (April 2026), MPCA monitoring via the Water Quality Portal, DNR water access records (2023), LAGOS-US. Lakewide information from public data; it does not describe any specific property. Verify shoreline, bottom type, and depth at any frontage.