Campbell

Campbell Lake is a 462-acre lake with a maximum depth of 25 feet located 10 miles northwest of Bemidji in Beltrami County. There is a DNR public water access with a concrete ramp and parking for about 6 trucks/trailers located on the south shore of the lake and accessible from County Roads 9 and 22. Campbell Lake is managed for Northern Pike, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Walleye. A special regulation for Sunfish consisting of a reduced daily bag limit of 5 fish is in effect. Statewide regulations apply to all other species. Campbell Lake is known as a consistent producer of Bluegill and Black Crappie. Numbers for both species were up in 2021 compared to the past few surveys, with good average sizes and larger fish present. The 2021 survey documented a respectable Walleye population with good numbers of smaller fish captured showing that recent stocking efforts have been successful. Walleye up to 22 inches in length were captured in this survey. Anglers with the patience required to fish weed lines for Walleye can do well in Campbell Lake. Northern Pike were very abundant in Campbell Lake in the 2021 survey. Pike can provide a lot of fishing action for anglers on days when other species refuse to cooperate. A good portion of the pike catch exceeded 24 inches with fish up to 33 inches in length captured. Largemouth Bass were not targeted in the 2021 survey, however Campbell Lake is known to have a healthy bass population similar to many smaller lakes in the Bemidji area. While numbers may be lower than some area lakes the potential to catch large bass exists on Campbell Lake. Other species of fish captured in the 2021 survey were Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid Sunfish, Bullhead species, Tullibee (Cisco), White Sucker and Yellow Perch.

Campbell Lake is a 463-acre lake, located 15 miles northwest of Bemidji, MN. A targeted survey was completed on Campbell Lake by Bemidji Area Fisheries staff during June of 2021 to assess the nearshore fish community and overall health of the lake. In this survey, 10 nearshore sites (100-foot) were evenly spaced along the lakeshore to sample a variety of aquatic habitat types and collect a representative sample of the nearshore fish community. Depending on the habitat conditions at each site, backpack electrofishing and shoreline seining were attempted where possible. A total of seven sites were sampled with a seine, while backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sites. A total of 15 species of fish were sampled, which included six species (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) that are intolerant to disturbance or poor water quality. Nearshore fish community data was analyzed with information collected from standard survey completed in 2021 to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biologic Integrity (FIBI) score to measure the biological condition and overall health of Campbell Lake. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and healthy habitat (e.g. Blackchin Shiner, Tullibee (cisco), Least Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). The combination of fish species present may identify stressors negatively affecting the lake environment. The FIBI score is composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics to indicate the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website (www.mndnr.gov). Results of this survey indicate Campbell Lake is in exceptional health with a FIBI score well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. In coordination with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, data from this survey will contribute towards the assessment of the Mississippi River (Headwaters) Watershed with biological information about the health of the fish community.

Campbell Lake is a 462-acre lake with a maximum depth of 25 feet located 15 miles northwest of Bemidji in Beltrami County. Campbell is part of a connected chain of lakes known as the Turtle River chain. There is a DNR public water access with a concrete ramp and parking for about 6 trucks/trailers located on the south shore of the lake accessible from County Roads 9 and 22. Campbell Lake is managed for Northern Pike, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Walleye. Statewide fishing regulations apply to all species. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota lakes based on similarities in lake basin (depth, size) water chemistry (alkalinity, water clarity) and the type of fish community present in the lake. Campbell Lake is in lake class 34. The following discussion makes comparisons between Campbell Lake and other class 34 lakes in the state. Other Bemidji area lakes in this class include Little Turtle Lake and Boot Lake. The 2016 Northern Pike catch rate was 4.89/gill net. Northern Pike had an average size of 18.60 inches in length and 1.23 lbs/fish. The largest Northern Pike captured measured 28.58 inches in length. The 2016 Bluegill catch was 2.56/trap net, which was low compared to previous surveys of Campbell Lake. Bluegill had a good average size of 6.94 inches in length and 0.34 lbs/fish. Campbell has a good reputation for producing quality-size Bluegill. Few Black Crappie were captured in the 2016 assessment. The few fish captured were mostly young (age-2) fish 5.50 to 6.50 inches in length. The 2016 Walleye catch rate was 2/gill net, which was low compared to previous surveys. Average size of Walleye was on the small side at 13.06 inches in length and 0.74 lbs/fish. An electrofishing assessment targeting Largemouth Bass was conducted as part of the 2016 assessment. The catch rate of 8.07 bass per hour was lower than expected, although bass up to 19.84 inches in length were captured. The average size of Largemouth Bass captured was 14.28 inches in length. Other species of fish captured in the 2016 assessment were Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Bowfin, White Sucker, Yellow Perch, and Bullhead species.

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

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

Campbell has a maximum depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Campbell is from 2021.

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