Benedict

Benedict Lake (29-0048-00) is a 464.37-acre lake with a maximum depth of 41 feet located near Benedict, MN. Park Rapids Fisheries staff conducted a survey targeting near shore fish species on August 10, 2021, to assess populations of non-game and small sport fish. Ten 100-foot sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot 1/8th-inch mesh seine, depending on habitat conditions. During this assessment, four sites were sampled with a 15-foot seine. Site conditions prevented the use of seines at six sites. Backpack electrofishing was done at all 10 sites with three being conducted from the side of the boat. Nearshore sampling captured eighteen species of fish including three species intolerant of disturbance; Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner and Blacknose Shiner. Other species sampled during the nearshore effort included Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Central Mudminnow, Golden Shiner, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Least Darter, Log Perch, Mimic Shiner, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Tadpole Madtom, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. Nearshore catches will be used along with gill net and trap net catch data from a standard fisheries survey conducted on June 7, 2021, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score, which is indicative of the health of Benedict Lake. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Benedict Lake is located in the Leech Lake River Watershed.

Benedict Lake is located 1.5 miles south of Benedict in eastern Hubbard County. Benedict has a surface area of 464 acres and a maximum depth of 91 feet. The outlet of Benedict flows into Kabekona Bay of Leech Lake. There is a state-owned public access located east of the lake on the outlet channel. Benedict provides angling opportunities for Walleye, Northern Pike, and panfish. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Benedict is in lake class 23. Class 23 lakes are generally deep, very clear, have hard water and are irregularly shaped. Other class 23 lakes in the Park Rapids management area include: Blue, Boot, East Crooked, Eleventh Crow Wing, Ninth Crow Wing, and Spearhead. Walleye abundance has been consistent the past several surveys and near the average for class 23 lakes. Walleye sampled had an average length of 18.8 inches, weighed 2.8 pounds, and measured up to 28.9 inches. A strong year class of 12-14 inch Walleye were sampled and should provide good fishing opportunities in future years. Important forage species such as Yellow Perch and Tullibee (Cisco) were sampled in good numbers. Yellow Perch up to 12.0 inches were sampled. Northern Pike abundance was high when compared to other class 23 lakes. Northern Pike abundance has been high since the 2011 survey. Northern Pike sampled had a mean length of 22.5 inches, weighed 2.7 pounds, and measuring up to 37.5 inches. The Tullibee (Cisco) and White Sucker forage base has the potential to produce large Northern Pike in Benedict. Bluegill are the most common panfish species in Benedict. Bluegill and Pumpkinseed were sampled in moderate numbers, similar to recent surveys. Anglers will find good numbers of Bluegill and Pumpkinseed in the 6 to 8 inch size range. Present and past surveys have shown the Black Crappie population in Benedict to fluctuate from low to moderate numbers for this lake class. Black Crappie up to 13.7 inches were sampled. Largemouth Bass were not sampled in the 2021 survey but have been sampled in low to moderate numbers in past surveys. Other species sampled included high numbers of Rock Bass and Bowfin and low numbers of Brown Bullhead and Hybrid Sunfish.

Benedict Lake is located near Benedict, MN in eastern Hubbard County. Benedict has a surface area of 464 acres and a maximum depth of 91 feet. A Department of Natural Resources (DNR) owned public access is located just east of the lake, where the river leaves the lake and flows into Kabekona Bay of Leech Lake. The Minnesota DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Benedict Lake is in lake class 23. Class 23 lakes are generally deep, very clear, have hard water and are irregularly shaped. Other class 23 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Big Bass, Blue, East Crooked, Spearhead, Tripp, and Boot. Walleye abundance has been consistent in recent years, and near the average of other class 23 lakes. All Walleye sampled are a great size for anglers, with most 13-21 inches. The average length was 19 inches, with the largest sampled at 28.5 inches. Yellow Perch are important forage for Walleye and Northern Pike, and the numbers were in line with other class 23 lakes. Perch were an average size of 6.5 inches and fish were sampled up to 12.5 inches. Northern Pike abundance was very high compared to other class 23 lakes, and the highest of all surveys on Benedict Lake. Northern Pike ranged from 11.5 inches to 35.5 inches in length. The average size of 20.5 inches and 2 pounds was on the low end of past surveys on Bennedict. Largemouth Bass abundance was comparable to past surveys on Benedict, and to class 23 lakes. Bass ranged from 7 to 18.5 inches, with an average size of 12 inches. Angling opportunities for panfish include Black Crappie, Bluegill and Pumpkinseed. Only one 10 inch Black Crappie was sampled, but this is similar to past surveys and Benedict. Bluegill and Pumpkinseed abundance was similar to recent years, with lengths ranging from 3-8 inches. Currently, no Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) have been identified in Benedict Lake. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.

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

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

Benedict has a maximum depth of 91 feet and a mean depth of 41 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Benedict has confirmed starry stonewort and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.