Minnesota · Hubbard County
Benedict Lake Fishing guide
Benedict Lake covers 464 acres in Hubbard County, Minnesota, reaching 91 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 15 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2021, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and muskellunge in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Fair numbers3.3per gill net22"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 41 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 41 fish
2021Lengths measured · 33 fish
2016Lengths measured · 37 fish
2011Lengths measured · 18 fish
2006Northern pikeGood numbers12.2per gill net21"Typical37"Biggest
Lengths measured · 115 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 115 fish
2021Lengths measured · 121 fish
2016Lengths measured · 106 fish
2011Lengths measured · 81 fish
2006Last recorded in the 2016 survey and not seen since.
BluegillJust a few12.6per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 113 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 113 fish
2021Lengths measured · 207 fish
2016Lengths measured · 210 fish
2011Lengths measured · 333 fish
2006Yellow perchGood numbers4.6per gill net6"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 56 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 56 fish
2021Lengths measured · 43 fish
2016Lengths measured · 30 fish
2011Lengths measured · 21 fish
2006Last recorded in the 2001 survey and not seen since.
Rock bassElite fishery6.8per trap net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 69 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 69 fish
2021Lengths measured · 120 fish
2016Lengths measured · 114 fish
2011Lengths measured · 64 fish
2006Rates 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 Benedict Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 15 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 91 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 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 91 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 | 37" | 28" | — |
| 2016 | 35" | 30" | 18" |
| 2011 | 31" | 30" | 19" |
| 2006 | 33" | 29" | 14" |
| 2001 | 33" | 26" | 20" |
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 · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
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 | 670 fingerlings · 341 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 1,734 fingerlings · 125 yearlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 4,250 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 5,926 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 3,400 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2021 survey
Benedict Lake is located 1.5 miles south of Benedict in eastern Hubbard County. Benedict has a surface area of 464 acres and a maximum depth of 91 feet. The outlet of Benedict flows into Kabekona Bay of Leech Lake. There is a state-owned public access located east of the lake on the outlet channel. Benedict provides angling opportunities for Walleye, Northern Pike, and panfish.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Benedict is in lake class 23. Class 23 lakes are generally deep, very clear, have hard water and are irregularly shaped. Other class 23 lakes in the Park Rapids management area include: Blue, Boot, East Crooked, Eleventh Crow Wing, Ninth Crow Wing, and Spearhead.
Read the full DNR narrative
Walleye abundance has been consistent the past several surveys and near the average for class 23 lakes. Walleye sampled had an average length of 18.8 inches, weighed 2.8 pounds, and measured up to 28.9 inches. A strong year class of 12-14 inch Walleye were sampled and should provide good fishing opportunities in future years. Important forage species such as Yellow Perch and Tullibee (Cisco) were sampled in good numbers. Yellow Perch up to 12.0 inches were sampled.
Northern Pike abundance was high when compared to other class 23 lakes. Northern Pike abundance has been high since the 2011 survey. Northern Pike sampled had a mean length of 22.5 inches, weighed 2.7 pounds, and measuring up to 37.5 inches. The Tullibee (Cisco) and White Sucker forage base has the potential to produce large Northern Pike in Benedict.
Bluegill are the most common panfish species in Benedict. Bluegill and Pumpkinseed were sampled in moderate numbers, similar to recent surveys. Anglers will find good numbers of Bluegill and Pumpkinseed in the 6 to 8 inch size range. Present and past surveys have shown the Black Crappie population in Benedict to fluctuate from low to moderate numbers for this lake class. Black Crappie up to 13.7 inches were sampled.
Largemouth Bass were not sampled in the 2021 survey but have been sampled in low to moderate numbers in past surveys.
Other species sampled included high numbers of Rock Bass and Bowfin and low numbers of Brown Bullhead and Hybrid Sunfish.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Benedict Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Benedict 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
- Benedict - Kabekona (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Benedict Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Horseshoe Lake · 264 ac · 2.9 mi
- Kabekona Lake · 2,433 ac · 3.6 mi
- Lester Lake · 72 ac · 3.8 mi
- May Lake · 143 ac · 5.7 mi
- Long Lake · 279 ac · 6.1 mi
- Garfield Lake · 972 ac · 6.3 mi
- Big Bass Lake · 133 ac · 7.1 mi
- Twenty-One Lake · 36 ac · 7.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Benedict Lake?
Benedict Lake reaches 91 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 41 ft; about 37% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Benedict Lake?
Benedict Lake covers 464 acres with about 3.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Benedict Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Benedict Lake average 15 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Benedict Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2021) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, tiger muskellunge, rock bass.
Is Benedict Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Benedict Lake have a public access?
Yes. Benedict Lake has one public access site: Benedict - Kabekona (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Benedict Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 37"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2001.
When was Benedict Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Benedict Lake in 2021, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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