Minnesota · Rice County
French Lake Fishing guide
French Lake sits in Rice County, Minnesota, and covers 876 acres, reaching 56 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 2 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 20 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and muskellunge in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassJust a few11.4per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical16"Biggest
Lengths measured · 13 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 13 fish
2023Lengths measured · 50 fish
2017Lengths measured · 1 fish
2012Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 10 fish
2007Northern pikeJust a few0.1per gill net30"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 10 fish
2023Lengths measured · 2 fish
2020Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 17 fish
2017Lengths measured · 9 fish
2012Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
MuskellungeLast stocked 2025Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 207 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 58 fish
2024Lengths measured · 6 fish
2023Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 83 fish
2023Lengths measured · 60 fish
2022BluegillJust a few16.8per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 212 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 212 fish
2023Lengths measured · 2 fish
2020Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 181 fish
2017Lengths measured · 383 fish
2012CrappieJust a few2.6per trap net5"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 171 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 171 fish
2023Lengths measured · 229 fish
2020Lengths measured · 758 fish
2017Lengths measured · 825 fish
2012Yellow perchGood numbers12.9per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 123 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 123 fish
2023Lengths measured · 284 fish
2020Lengths measured · 149 fish
2017Lengths measured · 197 fish
2012Rates 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 French Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 2 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. 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.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. In 2 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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 56 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.
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 | Largemouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 23" | 16" | 36" |
| 2020 | 25" | — | 33" |
| 2017 | 22" | 17" | 39" |
| 2012 | 22" | 6" | 34" |
| 2007 | 22" | 18" | 36" |
| 1998 | 26" | — | 34" |
| 1993 | 22" | 9" | 38" |
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
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic 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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Muskellunge | 169 fingerlings · 41 yearlings |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 200 fingerlings · 40 yearlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 198,500 fry |
| 2023 | Muskellunge | 398 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Muskellunge | 398 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 397,000 fry |
| 2021 | Muskellunge | 400 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 397,000 fry |
| 2020 | Muskellunge | 80 yearlings |
| 2019 | Muskellunge | 402 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Muskellunge | 398 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 397,000 fry |
Stocking records before 2018 omitted.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
French Lake is an 816-acre (398 littoral acres), hypereutrophic lake situated in an agricultural watershed with small woodlots northwest of the city of Faribault in Rice County. French Lake is classified as a class 24 lake with a Shoreline Development Index of 1.17. Lakeshore development is moderate to intense. French Lake is the only Muskellunge managed water in the nine county Waterville Fisheries Management Area and has been stocked with Muskellunge fingerlings since 1974. Historically, French Lake was stocked with approximately 600 Muskellunge fingerlings of various strains, each fall. Since 2014, French Lake has been stocked with 398 Leech Lake strain Muskellunge fingerlings annually. A decreased stocking rate serves several purposes including: decrease the cost of Muskellunge stocking in French Lake, provide more Muskellunge to be stocked in other Muskellunge managed waters throughout the state, and decrease the potential for growth reductions due to high abundance. The stocking rate of 1.0 Muskellunge per littoral acre annually will be maintained at least until a more in-depth population assessment can be completed.
The second phase of a two-year population assessment was conducted in May 2023 and a third year was added in 2024. A total of 58 adult Muskellunge were sampled in 35 nets for a catch-per-unit-effort of 1.7 Muskellunge per net night. Eighty-two percent (n = 47) of Muskellunge examined (n = 57) were male and 18% (n = 10) were female. Muskellunge CPUE of 1.7 per trap night exceeded the management goal of at least 1 Muskellunge per trap night.
Read the full DNR narrative
The average length of Muskellunge sampled in 2023 was 39.3 in and ranged from 29.3 to 49.5 in. The management goal of fish greater than 50 in present was not met. Average length of Muskellunge appears to have leveled off and has hovered around 40 inches in each survey since 2002. Maximum length appears to have reached its full potential in 2004 and has been near 50 inches in subsequent surveys. Trophy length fish have always been rare in French Lake and no fish over 50 inches were sampled in 2023.
The average length of Muskellunge sampled in 2024 was 36.8 in and ranged from 11.6 in. to 48.8 in. The management goal of fish greater than 50 in present was not met. Average length of Muskellunge appears to have reached an asymptote in 2002 and has hovered around 40 inches in each survey since 2002 (Figure 2). Maximum length appears to have reached its full potential in 2004 and has been near 50 inches in subsequent surveys. Trophy length fish have always been rare in French Lake.
A population estimate was calculated for adult fish present in 2023 following sampling in spring of 2024. We estimated 56 females and 163 males over 30 inches were present in French Lake in 2023. Also, there is strong evidence that large fingerlings had much higher probabilities of survival to 2023-2024 than small fingerlings.
-Brandon Eder, assistant area supervisor
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
French Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on French 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
- French Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
French Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Kelly & Dudley Lake · 128 ac · 1.7 mi
- Mazaska Lake · 688 ac · 2.2 mi
- Roberds Lake · 632 ac · 2.3 mi
- Hunt Lake · 176 ac · 2.7 mi
- Shields Lake · 941 ac · 3.5 mi
- Cedar Lake · 902 ac · 3.6 mi
- Wells Lake · 678 ac · 4.5 mi
- Rice Lake · 331 ac · 4.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is French Lake?
French Lake reaches 56 ft at its deepest point; about 45% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is French Lake?
French Lake covers 876 acres with about 4.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in French Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on French Lake average 2 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in French Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white bass.
Is French Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked muskellunge in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2018.
Does French Lake have a public access?
Yes. French Lake has one public access site: French Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in French Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 23"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1993.
When was French Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed French Lake in 2024, the most recent of 20 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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