Shell

Shell Lake is a 3,140-acre lake located in east central Becker County. Extensive stands of wild rice are found in shoal waters throughout much of the lake, and waterfowl hunting is an important recreational use of the lake. Because much of the lake is shallow, Shell Lake is subject to occasional winterkills. A couple of minor kills took place between 1989 and 1993, the winter of 2017-2018, and the winter of 2021-2022. Severe events have happened in 1996, 2014, and the winter of 2022-2023. Property owners reported abundant dead fish in the spring of 2023. A targeted fisheries survey was conducted on 05/10/2023 to 05/11/2023 to assess the severity of the winterkill. Dead fish of all species were observed while surveying. Trap nets captured Northern Pike, White Sucker, Yellow Perch, and three species of Bullhead, all species which are more tolerant to low oxygen conditions. Bullheads were abundant. Northern Pike were caught in good numbers with an average length of 19 inches. Shell Lake appears to have experienced a significant winterkill for Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass during the 2022-2023 winter. Walleye were reintroduced during 2023. Angling opportunities for Northern Pike are still available, but it will take a few years to have quality fishing for other species.

Shell Lake is a 3,140-acre lake located in east central Becker County. . There is a state-owned access on the west shore of the lake. Extensive stands of wild rice are found in shoal waters throughout much of the lake, and waterfowl hunting is an important recreational use of the lake. It is shallow (16-foot maximum depth), fertile, and is subject to occasional winterkills. A couple of minor kills took place between 1989 and 1993, the winter of 2017-2018, and the winter of 2021 to 2022. Severe events have happened in 1996, 2014, and the winter of 2022 to 2023. A standard fisheries survey was conducted in mid-August 2022 to assess the fish populations at Shell Lake, but results should be used with caution due to the winterkill observed after this survey was completed. The fish population in Shell Lake is still recovering from past winterkill events. In 2022, Walleye abundance was near average for Shell Lake. Walleye size was 16 to 23 inches with an average length of 18 inches. Northern Pike abundance was at an all-time high in 2022, with the population dominated by small fish. The average pike was 19 inches long with the largest fish measuring 37 inches. Only 2% of the pike measured were 24 inches or longer. The abundance of Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie was below average in 2022. Bluegill were five to six inches long, and Yellow Perch averaged seven inches long. Largemouth Bass had an average length of 16 inches and Black Crappie were 10 inches or less in length. Brown Bullheads were captured in record high numbers in gill nets in 2022. Other fish species sampled in 2022 include Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and White Sucker.

Shell Lake is a large, shallow, fertile lake that is subject to occasional winterkills. Some winterkill was observed in 2014 that reduced populations of Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Walleye. As a result, 136 Black Crappie adults, 720 Bluegill adults, and approximately 3.4 million Walleye fry were stocked into Shell Lake in spring of 2014. Each of these species has now been reestablished, and the 2016 assessment catch rates confirmed the winterkill was not 100% and good recovery of most species has occurred. Natural immigration is also possible via the Shell River, Shell Lake's outlet stream. Extensive stands of wild rice are found in shoal waters throughout much of the lake, and waterfowl hunting is an important recreational use of the lake. Walleyes sampled in the 2016 assessment averaged 19.4 inches in length and 3.0 pounds in weight. Catch rates were near the historical average for Shell Lake, at 2.9 per net. Walleyes from eight year classes were sampled, and the population appears to have rebounded following the winterkill of 2014. Bluegill catch rates remained relatively high, well above the historical average for Shell Lake, at 36.1 per net. Young Bluegills were most abundant, but some over eight inches were also found. Bluegills reach 5.7 inches in four years, and eight to ten years to grow to a desirable size of eight inches. The Black Crappie catch rate is above the historical average for Shell Lake, with the average size sampled of 8.0 inches. Crappies up to 12.1 inches were sampled. A high population of young, relatively small Northern Pike was present. Catch rates for Northern Pike were well above the historical average for Shell Lake. The size range of Pike sampled was between 9.2 inches and 34.4 inches, with an average length of 20.1 inches, and an average weight of 2.0 pounds. Carp, White Sucker, Bowfin, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow and Brown Bullheads were also found in standard gill nets and trap nets during the 2016 study. Carp are likely immigrants via the Shell River. No Black Bullheads were sampled during the 2016 assessment, following a steady decrease in catch rates since the 2000 assessment. Yellow and Brown Bullheads are present, with average lengths 9.5 inches and 11.6 inches, respectively. Fish populations in any lake are reflections of their habitat and watershed. Shell Lake and its surrounding watershed are primarily forested, yet increased development may put the watershed at risk for increased surface runoff and increased nutrients coming into the lake. Following shoreland regulation established by the DNR, PCA, and Becker County can help ensure that the water quality and overall health of Shell Lake withstands the environmental pressure within the watershed.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Hybrid Sunfish in Shell. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Shell. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Shell has a maximum depth of 16 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Shell is from 2022.

No invasive species are on record for Shell in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.