Webster

Webster Lake is located next to a U.S. Forest Service campground in the Chippewa National Forest. There is a boat launch on the east side and an area for fishing next to the campground. Webster was a popular destination fishery after the 2010 assessment recorded Bluegills over 10 inches as well as Largemouth Bass over 20 inches in length; however, a severe winterkill in the winter of 2011-12 greatly impacted the gamefish population. Since then, adult Bluegill, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass have been re-introduced back into Webster Lake in 2013, 2014, 2019 and 2021. Unfortunately, these efforts were negated by additional winterkill events that have continued with several more occurring since 2012, most recently in 2023. In 2023, multiple reports were received by the DNR Fisheries Office in Bemidji that Webster Lake may have winterkilled due to the absence of panfish and bass which are normally very abundant. Electrofishing was conducted late that summer to assess the remaining fish community and found very low abundance of Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch. No Black Crappie or Largemouth Bass were captured. Supplemental stocking of Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass is planned for the spring of 2024. It will likely be some time before Webster Lake returns to the quality fishery that it once was.

Webster Lake is located next to a U.S. Forest Service campground in the Chippewa National Forest. There is a boat launch on the east side and an area for fishing next to the campground. Webster was a popular destination fishery after the 2010 assessment recorded Bluegills over 10 inches as well as Largemouth Bass over 20 inches in length; however, a severe winterkill in the winter of 2011-12 greatly impacted the gamefish population. In the springs of 2013 and 2014, adult Bluegill, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass were re-introduced back into Webster Lake. In the spring of 2017, an electrofishing assessment was conducted to evaluate the fish community following the winterkill in 2012 and subsequent panfish stocking. Five species were captured, measured, and released including Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. Of those, the species that were re-introduced appear to be fairly abundant but still relatively small. The Largemouth Bass captured had lengths just short of 15 inches and perch had lengths over 8 inches. The remaining species were smaller than typical sizes preferred by anglers. It will likely be some time before Webster Lake returns to the quality fishery that it once was. In the meantime, the abundant panfish population allows for a secluded and relaxing angling experience.

Webster Lake is a small, remote lake located approximately ten miles south of the city of Blackduck in Beltrami County. The lake is located within the Chippewa National Forest. A Forest Service campground with ten primitive campsites and a boat ramp is located on the east shore of the lake. The maximum depth is 19 feet, although most of the lake is shallower than 8 feet in depth. Webster Lake is in lake class 37, and similar lakes in the Bemidji area include Mission, Stocking, and McKenzie. Class 37 lakes are typically small, shallow lakes with soft water and simple lake basins. Bluegill and black crappie are primary management species, while largemouth bass are managed as a secondary species. The 2010 fish population assessment showed that Webster Lake holds a good bluegill population. Trap net catch rates were nearly three times greater than the median for this lake class. All bluegill captured were greater than 6.0 inches in length, and fish greater than 10.0 inches in length were present in the catch. Black crappie were captured at the rate of 1.6/TN, which is similar to the first quartile value of 1.9/TN for this lake class. Black crappie ranged in length from 4.4 to 11.3 inches TL, with a mean length of 9.6 inches TL. A total of four year classes of fish were identified from age analysis of the sample, ranging from age 1 (2009 year class) to age 6 (2004 year class). The majority of fish (n=8) were from the 2006 year class (age 4). Age 4 black crappie had an average length of 9.8 inches. The 2010 largemouth bass electrofishing catch rate of 70 fish/hr indicated a robust bass population. Largemouth bass ranged in length from 6.5 to 18.9 inches TL, with a mean length of 11.4 inches TL. As of March 7, 2011 dissolved oxygen testing indicated that Webster Lake was most likely experiencing a winterkill of the fish population. Unfortunately, the high quality bluegill and bass populations that have developed since the last winterkill (1995-96) will likely be impacted and potentially eliminated from Webster Lake. The Bemidji Area Fisheries Office cannot verify the extent of the winter kill until ice off, which typically occurs in mid-April. Please call the Bemidji Area Fisheries Office (218-308-2339) to get updated information before planning a trip to Webster Lake.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, and Yellow Perch in Webster. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Webster has a maximum depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Webster is from 2023.

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