Minnesota · Meeker County
Minnie-Belle Lake Fishing guide
Minnie-Belle Lake sits in Meeker County, Minnesota, and covers 597 acres, reaching 49 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 12 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 23 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2023Excellent numbers9.4per gill net18"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 107 fish
Recent · 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 7 fish
2025Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 100 fish
2024Lengths measured · 2 fish
2024Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
2023Largemouth bassJust a few5.8per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 228 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 76 fish
2024Lengths measured · 152 fish
2021Lengths measured · 41 fish
2020Lengths measured · 147 fish
2017No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeJust a few4per gill net23"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 42 fish
Recent · 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 1 fish
2025Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 41 fish
2024Lengths measured · 32 fish
2020Lengths measured · 101 fish
2017BluegillJust a few11.8per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1200 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 371 fish
2025Lengths measured · 149 fish
2025Lengths measured · 89 fish
2024Lengths measured · 229 fish
2022CrappieJust a few0.3per trap net10"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 132 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 27 fish
2025Lengths measured · 4 fish
2025Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 26 fish
2024Lengths measured · 43 fish
2022Yellow perchJust a few0.2per gill net8"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Recent · 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 7 fish
2025Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2024Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 5 fish
2020Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 21 fish
2017Rates 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 Minnie-Belle Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 12 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 49 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. At 12 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 49 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 24" | — | 18" |
| 2024 | 26" | 19" | 36" |
| 2023 | 13" | — | — |
| 2022 | 11" | — | — |
| 2021 | — | 17" | — |
| 2020 | 25" | 15" | 35" |
| 2017 | 25" | 19" | 34" |
| 2010 | 27" | 16" | 35" |
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 · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Largemouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Skirted Casting Jig + Craw Trailer
3.5–4" craw-style trailer on a skirted casting/flipping jig
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Walleye | 85,982 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 85,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,727 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 2,772 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Minnie-Belle is a moderate-sized lake (596 acres) located south of the City of Litchfield in Meeker County. A state-owned access with paved parking and a double cement boat ramp is available on the northeast shore. Minnie-Belle has almost five miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of forty-nine feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has divided Minnesota's lakes into 44 different classes based on physical and chemical characteristics. Minnie-Belle is a class 27 lake and another similar waterbody in the Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area is Stella Lake in Meeker County. This was the fourth time that spring trap netting was used to monitor the Minnie-Belle Lake panfish populations. A special regulation on sunfish (5-fish bag limit) was implemented in 2022 with a goal of increasing the number of larger fish within the lake.
Low numbers of Black Crappie were sampled, but average length was notable (10 inches). Spring water temperature was above the recommended range to collect crappie, so this species may be more abundant than the net catches suggest. The longest Black Crappie sampled was an astonishing 14 inches. Moderate numbers of Bluegill were collected, and average length was impressive (7.5 inches). The longest Bluegill sampled was a whopper (10 inches). Anglers seeking large-sized panfish should fish Minnie-Belle Lake. Other panfish sampled included Hybrid Sunfish and Pumpkinseed. Preliminary evaluation of the special regulation on sunfish suggests that the regulation is having the desired results (more bigger sunfish). A final evaluation of the regulation is scheduled for 2032 - ten years after enactment.
Read the full DNR narrative
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. Minnie-Belle Lake has two AIS - Zebra mussel and Eurasian watermilfoil. 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 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
Minnie-Belle Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Minnie-Belle 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
- Minnie Belle Lake (trailer launch)
- Minne Belle Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Minnie-Belle Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Willie Lake · 192 ac · 2.6 mi
- Greenleaf Lake · 238 ac · 3.2 mi
- Round Lake · 266 ac · 3.4 mi
- Star Lake · 553 ac · 4.1 mi
- Manuella Lake · 293 ac · 4.4 mi
- Hoff Lake · 139 ac · 4.5 mi
- Ripley (west portion) Lake · 614 ac · 5.1 mi
- Cedar Lake · 1,860 ac · 5.4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Minnie-Belle Lake?
Minnie-Belle Lake reaches 49 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 31.5 ft; about 28% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Minnie-Belle Lake?
Minnie-Belle Lake covers 597 acres with about 4.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Minnie-Belle Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Minnie-Belle Lake average 12 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Minnie-Belle Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Minnie-Belle Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2023; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Minnie-Belle Lake have a public access?
Yes. Minnie-Belle Lake has 2 public access sites, including Minnie Belle Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Minnie-Belle Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 26"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2010.
When was Minnie-Belle Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Minnie-Belle Lake in 2025, the most recent of 23 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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