Minnesota · Meeker County
Betty Lake Fishing guide
Betty Lake covers 154 acres in Meeker County, Minnesota, reaching 29 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 2.7 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 15 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2021Fair numbers3.5per gill net20"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 21 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 21 fish
2022Lengths measured · 39 fish
2017Lengths measured · 3 fish
2012Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 16 fish
2007Northern pikeFair numbers9.8per gill net22"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 59 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 59 fish
2022Lengths measured · 45 fish
2017Lengths measured · 27 fish
2012Lengths measured · 73 fish
2007BluegillPresent7.8per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 47 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 47 fish
2022Lengths measured · 51 fish
2017Lengths measured · 78 fish
2012Lengths measured · 103 fish
2007CrappiePresent18per gill net6"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 106 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 106 fish
2022Lengths measured · 119 fish
2017Lengths measured · 32 fish
2012Lengths measured · 279 fish
2007Yellow perchFair numbers3.5per gill net7"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 21 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 21 fish
2022Lengths measured · 4 fish
2017Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 5 fish
2012Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 15 fish
2007Channel catfishGood numbers4.8per gill net21"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 29 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 29 fish
2022Lengths measured · 123 fish
2017Lengths measured · 151 fish
2012Lengths measured · 39 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 Betty Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 2.7 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. In 2.7 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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.
- 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 | Walleye | Northern pike | Channel catfish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 27" | 31" | 24" |
| 2017 | 25" | 34" | 24" |
| 2012 | 21" | 36" | 24" |
| 2007 | 28" | 27" | 26" |
| 2002 | 26" | 29" | 29" |
| 1997 | 24" | 28" | 21" |
| 1994 | 20" | 30" | 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:
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
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Spinnerbait
3/8–1/2 oz safety-pin spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades
Channel catfish · Live bait
Sliding-Sinker Catfish Rig
cut sucker or shad
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Walleye | 46,173 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 45,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 45,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
Betty, also known as Betsy, is a small-sized lake (154 acres) located southeast of the City of Kimball in Meeker County. A small state-owned access with a single cement boat ramp is present on the Clearwater River, about half a mile west of the lake. Betty has two miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 29 feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has divided Minnesota's lakes into 44 different classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Betty is a class 24 lake and other similar lakes in the Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area are Erie and Manuella in Meeker County. Curlyleaf pondweed can be abundant in the shallows in May and June at Betty Lake. Low water levels on the Clearwater River can make it difficult for bigger boats to access the lake. Accessing the lake during winter months can be dangerous due to the thin ice caused by flowing river water.
Walleye were sampled in low to moderate abundance in 2022, with fish averaging 21 inches in length. The longest Walleye sampled was 27 inches. Approximately 95% of the catch was 16 inches and longer. Walleye were age-1 to age-15 with seven year classes being present. Naturally reproduced Walleye contributed substantially to the 2022 catch. Few (3 of 21) of the Walleye aged in the 2022 survey matched up with years when fry were stocked. Because of natural reproduction and the connection to the Clearwater River, walleye fry stocking at Betty Lake will be discontinued.
Read the full DNR narrative
Moderate to high numbers of Northern Pike were gill netted this year with fish averaging 23 inches in length. Approximately 24% of pike netted were 26 inches or longer, showing fair numbers of nice-sized fish present. Northern pike regulations were revised at a statewide level beginning in 2018 to better accommodate regional differences in pike habitats and population abundance and size structuring. Three zones were established for northern pike with their own bag and length limit restrictions. In the north-central zone where Betty Lake is found, anglers can keep up to 10 northern pike, but no more than two pike larger than 26 inches; and all pike from 22 to 26 inches must be released. This zone regulation is meant to reduce small pike abundance by shifting population size structure back to more medium to large pike.
Moderate to high numbers of Black Crappie were netted in 2022. Approximately 22% of the gill net catch was 9 inches or longer. The longest Black Crappie sampled was just over 13 inches.
Low numbers of Yellow Perch were netted and most were small but they provide important forage for the lake's predator species. Moderate numbers of Channel Catfish were captured with fish averaging 21 inches in length and maxing out at almost 24 inches.
Other fishes that anglers may encounter include Black Bullhead, Bluegill, Golden Shiner, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead.
People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Overharvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are typically moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters and lakeshore owners, and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and drain all lake water from their boat and bait buckets before leaving the lake. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local MNDNR office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the MNDNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Hutchinson Area Fisheries office.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Betty Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Betty 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
- DNR access: On the Clearwater River; about 1/2 mile upstream (west) of the lake.
DNR bathymetry
Betty Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Union Lake · 93 ac · 1.8 mi
- Louisa Lake · 193 ac · 2.5 mi
- West Lake Sylvia · 904 ac · 3.8 mi
- Marie Lake · 146 ac · 3.8 mi
- School Section Lake · 211 ac · 3.8 mi
- Francis Lake · 1,053 ac · 3.9 mi
- Moose Lake · 87 ac · 4.2 mi
- East Lake Sylvia · 669 ac · 4.4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Betty Lake?
Betty Lake reaches 29 ft at its deepest point; about 58% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Betty Lake?
Betty Lake covers 154 acres with about 2.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Betty Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Betty Lake average 2.7 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Betty Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish.
Is Betty Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2021; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Betty Lake have a public access?
Yes. Betty Lake has one public access site: DNR access (On the Clearwater River; about 1/2 mile upstream (west) of the lake.).
How big do walleye get in Betty Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 27"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Betty Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Betty Lake in 2022, the most recent of 15 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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