Hungry

Hungry Lake is a 240-acre, class 29 lake located in south central Becker County. It remains relatively undeveloped with approximately eight homes or cabins along its shoreline based on 2024 satellite imagery. A standard fisheries survey was completed in June 2025 to assess the fish populations in Hungry Lake. Anglers will find a moderately abundant number of Northern Pike in Hungry Lake and these fish were good sized compared to other lakes in the Detroit Lakes work area. The catch rate of 14.7 Northern Pike per net in the 2025 survey was higher than the lake average. The average size of the pike captured was 24.5 inches and the longest was 30 inches. About 65% of the pike were longer than 24 inches. Walleye numbers continue to be very low at the lake with only two Walleyes sampled, however these fish averaged 25 inches. Bluegill numbers were high for the lake but most of the fish were small. Only a handful of fish over eight inches were caught and 72% of the fish were less than seven inches. The longest Bluegill measured was just below nine inches. Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass were captured in low numbers in the trap nets, which is often the case with this sampling gear. Black Crappie up to 10.5 inches were measured and Largemouth Bass up to 19 inches were captured. Other fish species sampled were Brown and Yellow Bullhead, Golden Shiner, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch.

Hungry Lake is a 240-acre lake with minimal development, providing an aesthetically pleasing locale to anglers. Considerable changes in the fish community have occurred since initial lake surveying began in 1969. The recreational fishery today can be described as predominantly Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. Northern Pike catches have declined from exceptionally high numbers in previous survey years, but they still remain abundant in the lake. Northern Pike averaged 23 inches in length, with several pike over 30 inches caught. Bluegill catch rate has slightly decreased relative to previous sampling years, with 6 to 8 inch Bluegills most abundant. Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass catches remained similar to historical averages. Crappie averaged 9 inches in size, while bass averaged 16 inches. As a small, relatively undisturbed waterbody, Hungry Lake's shoreline should be protected from unchecked shoreline development. Development related pressures can contribute to water quality degradation if best management practices are not followed, resulting in negative impacts on resident fish populations.

A survey of near shore fish species was conducted on July 6, 2016 by IBI Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sampling stations, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 4 stations, a 15-foot seine was used at 5 stations, and site conditions prevented the use of a seine at 1 site due to abundant vegetation and soft sediments. Nearshore sampling captured 13 species of fish including 3 species that are intolerant of excessive shoreline disturbance and/or poor water quality (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, and Iowa Darter). The near shore fish survey data is combined with gill net and trap net data from a 2013 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score based on expectations for similar lakes. The FIBI score for Hungry Lake is above an impairment threshold for aquatic life use developed for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Hungry Lake is located in the Otter Tail River Watershed.

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

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

Hungry has a maximum depth of 60 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Hungry is from 2025.

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