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MN Fish Finder

Movil

Beltrami County
Near Bemidji
DOW: 04015200
WalleyeExcellent · 78Black CrappieExcellent · 77Northern PikeExcellent · 75

A 855-acre lake near Bemidji in Beltrami County — best known for walleye and panfish. Last surveyed 2022.

Fish Species (20)

Walleye

Stocked 2023
Excellent · 78

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2021

Avg Size
16.6"
Avg Weight
1.75 lbs

Catch rate: 3.8 per gill net · typical 1.3–5.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye80% keeper-size (15"+)
10–14" · 20%Largest sampled 22"

Size from the Aug 2022 survey

Stocked with fry every other year · 2,055,000 fish total
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 20220.4217.4"1.98 lbs
Aug 9, 20213.7516.6"1.75 lbs
Aug 9, 20210.1716.6"1.38 lbs
Stocking Details
YearSizeNumberPounds
2023fry513,0004.2
2021fry513,0004.4
2019fry513,0004.1
2017fry516,0004.1

Black Crappie

Excellent · 77

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2021

Avg Size
10.6"
Avg Weight
0.88 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.7 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 20220.177.0"0.24 lbs
Aug 9, 20211.5010.6"0.88 lbs
Aug 1, 20160.179.0"0.43 lbs

Northern Pike

Excellent · 75

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2021

Avg Size
21.5"
Avg Weight
2.35 lbs

Catch rate: 9.7 per gill net · typical 3.1–8.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike29% keeper-size (24"+)
14–23" · 71%Largest sampled 27"

Size from the Aug 2022 survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 20220.6721.4"2.01 lbs
Aug 8, 20220.3321.4"-
Aug 8, 20220.3021.4"-

Largemouth Bass

Good · 60

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Electrofishing survey · surveyed Aug 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size
9.8"
Avg Weight
0.77 lbs

Catch rate: 23.4 · Electrofishing survey

Size of catchable largemouth bass33% keeper-size (12"+)
8–11" · 67%Largest sampled 17"

Size from the Aug 2022 survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 20227.907.5"-
Aug 8, 20221.257.5"0.55 lbs
Aug 8, 202250.017.5"-

Rock Bass

Good · 59

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022

Avg Size
4.5"
Avg Weight
0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per trap net · typical 0.6–2.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable rock bass17% keeper-size (8"+)
4–7" · 83%Largest sampled 10"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 20225.674.5"-
Aug 8, 20227.004.5"-
Aug 8, 20222.004.5"0.15 lbs

Hybrid Sunfish

Good · 52

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022

Avg Size
6.7"
Avg Weight
0.32 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net

Size of catchable hybrid sunfish33% keeper-size (8"+)
3–7" · 67%Largest sampled 8"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 20220.256.7"0.32 lbs
Aug 8, 20220.476.7"-
Aug 9, 20210.178.2"0.60 lbs

Bluegill

Average · 43

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022

Avg Size
4.6"
Avg Weight
0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 20.8 per trap net · typical 5.6–42.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill9% keeper-size (8"+)
3–7" · 91%Largest sampled 9"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 202223.904.6"-
Aug 8, 202220.834.6"0.13 lbs
Aug 8, 202227.114.6"-

Yellow Perch

Average · 34

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2021

Avg Size
6.1"
Avg Weight
0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 16.2 per gill net · typical 2.5–24.2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch0% keeper-size (9"+)
5–8" · 100%Largest sampled 8"

Size from the Aug 2022 survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 20222.005.5"0.10 lbs
Aug 8, 20227.335.5"-
Aug 8, 202255.905.5"-

Smallmouth Bass

Poor · 14

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Electrofishing survey · surveyed Aug 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size
12.5"
Avg Weight
0.94 lbs

Catch rate: 2.1 · Electrofishing survey

Size of catchable smallmouth bass0% keeper-size (12"+)
7–11" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Size from the Aug 2022 survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 20220.336.2"-
Aug 8, 20221.206.2"-
Aug 8, 20220.426.2"0.15 lbs

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 6

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022

Avg Size
4.5"
Avg Weight
0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 1.7–8.2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)
3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 20220.604.5"-
Aug 8, 20220.504.5"0.12 lbs
Aug 8, 20220.474.5"-

Green Sunfish

Insufficient

Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2021

Catch rate: 0.49 · Electrofishing survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 29, 20210.49--
Other species in this lake (9)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Brown Bullhead

Good · 64

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size
13.5"
Avg Weight
1.48 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 9, 20210.0810.0"0.65 lbs
Aug 1, 20160.5013.5"1.48 lbs
Jul 30, 20070.1712.5"1.37 lbs

White Sucker

Good · 59

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2021

Avg Size
19.0"
Avg Weight
2.98 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–3.5 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 20220.20--
Aug 8, 20222.80--
Aug 9, 20210.5019.0"2.98 lbs

Black Bullhead

Average · 46

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022

Avg Size
15.0"
Avg Weight
2.18 lbs

Catch rate: 0.08 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 20220.0815.0"2.18 lbs
Jun 15, 19840.10-0.88 lbs
Jun 22, 19780.17-2.40 lbs

Shorthead Redhorse

Average · 42

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2007

Last surveyed 2007 — treat with caution

Avg Size
19.0"
Avg Weight
2.88 lbs

Catch rate: 0.08 per gill net · typical 0.2–1.2 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 30, 20070.0819.0"2.88 lbs

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 40

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022

Avg Size
10.4"
Avg Weight
0.83 lbs

Catch rate: 0.58 per trap net · typical 1.5–7.7 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 20220.3310.4"-
Aug 8, 20220.2010.4"-
Aug 8, 20220.5810.4"0.83 lbs

Iowa Darter

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Aug 2022

Catch rate: 3.3 · Seining survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 20221.20--
Aug 8, 20224.67--
Aug 8, 20223.33--

Golden Shiner

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Aug 2022

Catch rate: 0.67 · Seining survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 202219.40--
Aug 8, 202214.96--
Aug 8, 20220.67--

Bluntnose Minnow

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Aug 2022

Catch rate: 0.33 · Seining survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 20224.40--
Aug 8, 20228.41--
Aug 8, 20220.33--

Johnny Darter

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Aug 2022

Catch rate: 0.3 · Seining survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 8, 20228.41--
Aug 8, 20220.33--
Aug 8, 20220.30--

Biologist Notes

August 4, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Movil Lake on August 4th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity a…

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Movil Lake on August 4th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 18.0 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 21.3 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 3.3 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 18.6 degrees C (65.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 3 years, between 2011-2023, indicate marginal oxythermal habitat in most years when surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2011 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 0.4 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

August 4, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Movil Lake on August 4th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity a…

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Movil Lake on August 4th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 18.0 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 21.3 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 3.3 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 18.6 degrees C (65.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 3 years, between 2011-2023, indicate marginal oxythermal habitat in most years when surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2011 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 0.4 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

August 4, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Movil Lake on August 4th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity a…

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Movil Lake on August 4th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 18.0 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 21.3 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 3.3 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 18.6 degrees C (65.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 3 years, between 2011-2023, indicate marginal oxythermal habitat in most years when surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2011 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 0.4 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Movil?

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

Is there public access at Movil?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Movil. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Movil?

Movil has a maximum depth of 50 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Movil last surveyed?

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

Does Movil have any invasive species?

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

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Lake Details

Surface Area
855.17 acres
Max Depth
50 ft
Shoreline
9.18 mi
Public Access
Not confirmed
View on DNR LakeFinder

Location

47.5898°N, 94.8599°W

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