Movil
A 855-acre lake near Bemidji in Beltrami County — best known for walleye and panfish. Last surveyed 2022.
Fish Species (20)
Walleye
Stocked 2023Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2021
Catch rate: 3.8 per gill net · typical 1.3–5.5 for a lake like this
Size from the Aug 2022 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.42 | 17.4" | 1.98 lbs |
| Aug 9, 2021 | 3.75 | 16.6" | 1.75 lbs |
| Aug 9, 2021 | 0.17 | 16.6" | 1.38 lbs |
Stocking Details
| Year | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | fry | 513,000 | 4.2 |
| 2021 | fry | 513,000 | 4.4 |
| 2019 | fry | 513,000 | 4.1 |
| 2017 | fry | 516,000 | 4.1 |
Black Crappie
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2021
Catch rate: 1.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.17 | 7.0" | 0.24 lbs |
| Aug 9, 2021 | 1.50 | 10.6" | 0.88 lbs |
| Aug 1, 2016 | 0.17 | 9.0" | 0.43 lbs |
Northern Pike
Above-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2021
Catch rate: 9.7 per gill net · typical 3.1–8.5 for a lake like this
Size from the Aug 2022 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.67 | 21.4" | 2.01 lbs |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.33 | 21.4" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.30 | 21.4" | - |
Largemouth Bass
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Aug 2016
Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 23.4 · Electrofishing survey
Size from the Aug 2022 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 7.90 | 7.5" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 1.25 | 7.5" | 0.55 lbs |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 50.01 | 7.5" | - |
Rock Bass
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 2.0 per trap net · typical 0.6–2.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 5.67 | 4.5" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 7.00 | 4.5" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 2.00 | 4.5" | 0.15 lbs |
Hybrid Sunfish
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.25 | 6.7" | 0.32 lbs |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.47 | 6.7" | - |
| Aug 9, 2021 | 0.17 | 8.2" | 0.60 lbs |
Bluegill
Typical numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 20.8 per trap net · typical 5.6–42.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 23.90 | 4.6" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 20.83 | 4.6" | 0.13 lbs |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 27.11 | 4.6" | - |
Yellow Perch
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2021
Catch rate: 16.2 per gill net · typical 2.5–24.2 for a lake like this
Size from the Aug 2022 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 2.00 | 5.5" | 0.10 lbs |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 7.33 | 5.5" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 55.90 | 5.5" | - |
Smallmouth Bass
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Aug 2016
Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.1 · Electrofishing survey
Size from the Aug 2022 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.33 | 6.2" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 1.20 | 6.2" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.42 | 6.2" | 0.15 lbs |
Pumpkinseed
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 1.7–8.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.60 | 4.5" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.50 | 4.5" | 0.12 lbs |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.47 | 4.5" | - |
Green Sunfish
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2021
Catch rate: 0.49 · Electrofishing survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 29, 2021 | 0.49 | - | - |
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
Typical numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2016
Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 9, 2021 | 0.08 | 10.0" | 0.65 lbs |
| Aug 1, 2016 | 0.50 | 13.5" | 1.48 lbs |
| Jul 30, 2007 | 0.17 | 12.5" | 1.37 lbs |
White Sucker
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2021
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–3.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.20 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 2.80 | - | - |
| Aug 9, 2021 | 0.50 | 19.0" | 2.98 lbs |
Black Bullhead
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 0.08 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.08 | 15.0" | 2.18 lbs |
| Jun 15, 1984 | 0.10 | - | 0.88 lbs |
| Jun 22, 1978 | 0.17 | - | 2.40 lbs |
Shorthead Redhorse
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2007
Last surveyed 2007 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.08 per gill net · typical 0.2–1.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 30, 2007 | 0.08 | 19.0" | 2.88 lbs |
Yellow Bullhead
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 0.58 per trap net · typical 1.5–7.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.33 | 10.4" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.20 | 10.4" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.58 | 10.4" | 0.83 lbs |
Iowa Darter
Seining survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 3.3 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 1.20 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 4.67 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 3.33 | - | - |
Golden Shiner
Seining survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 0.67 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 19.40 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 14.96 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.67 | - | - |
Bluntnose Minnow
Seining survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 0.33 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 4.40 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 8.41 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.33 | - | - |
Johnny Darter
Seining survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 0.3 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 8.41 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.33 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.30 | - | - |
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