Minnesota · Itasca County
Bello Lake Fishing guide
Bello Lake is a 527-acre lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, reaching 58 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 12.1 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 6 times, most recently in 2016, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets. That survey is 10 years old now.
DNR survey data
Fish species
No recent survey rating.
Largemouth bassGood numbers93.2per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 137 fish
Recent · 2016Lengths measured · 137 fish
2016Lengths measured · 103 fish
2007Lengths measured · 45 fish
1999Northern pikeJust a few5.6per gill net20"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 52 fish
Recent · 2016Lengths measured · 52 fish
2016Lengths measured · 103 fish
2007Lengths measured · 104 fish
1999BluegillJust a few14.3per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 180 fish
Recent · 2016Lengths measured · 180 fish
2016Lengths measured · 235 fish
2007Lengths measured · 101 fish
1999CrappieJust a few1.2per trap net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 34 fish
Recent · 2016Lengths measured · 34 fish
2016Lengths measured · 30 fish
2007Lengths measured · 13 fish
1999Rates 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 Bello Lake through the year
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 12.1 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 58 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 12.1 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 58 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.
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 | Largemouth bass | Northern pike | Bluegill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 19" | 36" | 8" |
| 2007 | 20" | 30" | 8" |
| 1999 | 18" | 31" | 9" |
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:
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
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
Bluegill · Soft plastics
Tungsten Jig + Micro Plastic
1–1.5" micro plastic
Bluegill · Jigs & bladed
Beetle Spin
1.5–2" curly-tail grub trailer on a small in-line spinner jighead
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2016 survey
Bello Lake is located about 5 miles north of Marcell, MN, and within the Chippewa National Forest. The 493 acre lake has 251 littoral acres, a maximum depth of 58 feet with no connectivity. There is an earthen DNR administered access on the east shore between the north and south basin. The lake management plan was last updated in 2008. Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie are primary management species while Bluegill are considered secondary management species. The 2016 survey is one of seven conducted since 1973, assessing the fish community.
Electrofishing sampled Largemouth Bass at a rate nearly double the previous assessment. The 2016 catch rate surpassed the antiquated 2008 management goal which was likely based on the initial electrofishing survey. Size structure was quality with lengths ranging from 5.1 to 19.4 inches with an average length of 13.2 inches, similar to the previous survey. Scale analysis identified ages 2-10 present. Growth was slow early, but similar to the statewide average by age 3. Largemouth Bass averaged 15.1 inches by age 7.
Read the full DNR narrative
Black Crappie were sampled at a rate above what was expected for lakes similar to Bello and the previous assessment. The trap net catch rate was within the expected range and similar to the 2007 assessment. The 2016 trap net catch rate was similar to the lake management goals. Size structure was favorable. Lengths ranged from 4.7 to 11.0 inches and an average length of 8.7 inches, similar to the previous assessment. Scale analysis identified ages 1, 3-7. The sample size was too small to evaluate recruitment, but age 5 represented 44% of the sample. Similar to the previous assessment, growth was slow and below the statewide averages. Black Crappie averaged eight inches by age 5.
Bluegill were sampled at a rate within the typical range and above the previous assessment. A modest size structure was observed with lengths from 3.4 to 8.4 inches and an average length of 5.8 inches. Scale analysis identified ages 2-10 present with most ages represented indicating relatively consistent recruitment. Growth was similar to the lake class averages for all ages. Bluegill averaged almost seven inches by age 8.
Northern Pike were the second most numerous species sampled in gill nets at a predictable rate but lower than the previous survey. Size structure was favorable with some quality individuals present. Lengths ranged from 15.0 to 36.7 inches and an average length of 22.2 inches. Scale and bone analysis identified eight age classes, with individuals up to age 9 present. Growth was similar to the statewide average for all ages. Northern Pike averaged 24.9 inches by age 5.
Yellow Perch were sampled at a rate of 0.5/gill net below the typical range for this lake type, and similar to the last survey. The four fish sampled had a mean length of 6.1 inches.
Tullibee were sampled at a rate of 3.5/gill net, near the lake class average. Lengths ranged from 8.5 to 18.7 inches with a mean length of 10.7 inches. Triaenophorus was not observed in 24 inspected Tullibee.
Other species sampled included Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Tullibee, Rock Bass, Yellow Bullhead and Yellow Perch.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Bello Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Bello 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
- Bello Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Bello Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Maple Lake · 255 ac · 1.3 mi
- Horseshoe Lake · 260 ac · 1.4 mi
- Hatch Lake · 226 ac · 1.7 mi
- Turtle Lake · 2,126 ac · 2.8 mi
- Long Lake · 155 ac · 3.2 mi
- Big Too Much Lake · 292 ac · 3.6 mi
- Johnson Lake · 304 ac · 4.1 mi
- Gunderson Lake · 183 ac · 4.1 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Bello Lake?
Bello Lake reaches 58 ft at its deepest point; about 48% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Bello Lake?
Bello Lake covers 527 acres with about 8.5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Bello Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Bello Lake average 12.1 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Bello Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2016) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Bello Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Bello Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Bello Lake have a public access?
Yes. Bello Lake has one public access site: Bello Lake (trailer launch).
How big do largemouth bass get in Bello Lake?
The biggest largemouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 19"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1999.
When was Bello Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Bello Lake in 2016, the most recent of 6 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Page updated .
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