Minnesota · Hubbard County
Belle Taine Lake Fishing guide
Belle Taine Lake covers 1,497 acres in Hubbard County, Minnesota, reaching 56 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 15.5 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2021, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Fair numbers3.4per gill net18"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 47 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 47 fish
2021Lengths measured · 76 fish
2016Lengths measured · 113 fish
2011Lengths measured · 96 fish
2007Largemouth bassJust a few4.8per hr (electrofishing)6"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 31 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 31 fish
2021Lengths measured · 148 fish
2016Lengths measured · 170 fish
2011Lengths measured · 24 fish
2007Northern pikeGood numbers10.2per gill net20"Typical32"Biggest
Lengths measured · 127 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 127 fish
2021Lengths measured · 58 fish
2016Lengths measured · 89 fish
2011Lengths measured · 97 fish
2007Last recorded in the 1981 survey and not seen since.
BluegillJust a few1.9per trap net4"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 30 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 30 fish
2021Lengths measured · 122 fish
2016Lengths measured · 106 fish
2011Lengths measured · 100 fish
2007CrappieJust a few0.6per trap net5"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 37 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 37 fish
2021Lengths measured · 113 fish
2016Lengths measured · 110 fish
2011Lengths measured · 109 fish
2007Rock bassExcellent numbers1.5per trap net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 37 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 37 fish
2021Lengths measured · 78 fish
2016Lengths measured · 67 fish
2011Lengths measured · 56 fish
2007Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Belle Taine Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 15.5 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 56 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 15.5 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 56 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Northern pike | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 32" | 26" | 17" |
| 2016 | 30" | 24" | 19" |
| 2011 | 33" | 24" | 17" |
| 2007 | 31" | 27" | 16" |
| 2001 | 31" | 26" | 20" |
| 1996 | 29" | 26" | 16" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 2,958 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 8,085 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 9,625 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 6,680 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 15,400 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2021 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Belle Taine Lake was conducted on August 4th, 2021 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 18 sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 14 stations, a 15-foot seine was used at one station, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 18 species of fish including eight species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass), and zero species that are tolerant of disturbance.
The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 23rd, 2021 standard 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, Common Carp, Fathead Minnow). 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.
Read the full DNR narrative
Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Crow Wing River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Belle Taine Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Belle Taine Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Lake Belle Taine (trailer launch)
- Belle Taine Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Belle Taine Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Sixth Crow Wing Lake · 346 ac · 1.6 mi
- Shallow Lake · 284 ac · 1.7 mi
- Fifth Crow Wing Lake · 400 ac · 1.8 mi
- Deer Lake · 181 ac · 2.2 mi
- Round Lake · 45 ac · 2.2 mi
- Boulder Lake · 341 ac · 2.5 mi
- Seventh Crow Wing Lake · 262 ac · 2.7 mi
- Spider Lake · 570 ac · 3.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Belle Taine Lake?
Belle Taine Lake reaches 56 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 10 ft; about 52% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Belle Taine Lake?
Belle Taine Lake covers 1,497 acres with about 24 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Belle Taine Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Belle Taine Lake average 15.5 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Belle Taine Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2021) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Belle Taine Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Belle Taine Lake have a public access?
Yes. Belle Taine Lake has 2 public access sites, including Lake Belle Taine (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Belle Taine Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 32"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1996.
When was Belle Taine Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Belle Taine Lake in 2021, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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