Benson

Benson Lake is a designated trout lake located entirely within George Crosby Manitou State Park that is stocked each fall with 2,500 fingerling Splake. There is a carry-in access with a small unloading area adjacent to a picnic area on the north end of the lake. A state park vehicle permit is required and no gasoline powered motors are allowed on the lake to maintain solitude for visitors. Also, there is a hiking trail around the lake that has some areas suitable for shore fishing. The lake was surveyed in October of 2025 to assess the effectiveness of the current stocking effort and to document angling opportunities the lake provides. In total, 299 Splake were sampled during the survey, marking the highest catch on record for the lake. Sampled fish ranged from seven to 17 inches long with an average length of 12 inches and included 11 fish longer than 16 inches. Splake from at least two stockings were present confirming that the habitat in the lake is suitable for Splake to survive for multiple years and that there is enough food available to allow the Splake to grow to sizes preferred by anglers. Benson Lake supports an abundant Splake population that gives anglers good opportunities to catch and harvest trout.

Benson Lake is a designated trout lake located about eight miles northeast of Finland that is 19.4 acres in size with a maximum depth of 36 feet. The lake is located within the boundaries of George Crosby Manitou State Park, thus a Minnesota state parks vehicle permit is required. The access is suitable for lightweight boats, canoes, kayaks, and float tubes with a drop off area near the lake and parking a short distance away. Although no gas engines are allowed, electric augers and trolling motors are permitted. A hiking trail with boardwalk goes around the entire lake with many shore fishing locations available. At the access there is a picnic area present and four campsites are located near the lake. Splake were captured at a rate of 6.17 fish per trap net which is higher than the eight previous surveys of the lake that have averaged 3.7 fish per net. Size of trout ranged from 7.5 to 18.3" with an average weight just under a half a pound and average length of 10.7". Age-2 fish represented 77% of the catch, but analysis determined four year classes were present. The lake is managed for Splake and the current plan calls for 2,500 fingerling fish to be stocked annually in the fall, as has been the case since the mid 1990's Habitat in the lake is sufficient to support trout through the summer and winter seasons consistently.

Benson Lake is a designated stream trout lake that is stocked annually with fingerling Splake. A survey was completed in 2020 to monitor the amount of cool, well oxygenated habitat available for trout during the summer. Automated temperature loggers were suspended at depths of four, eight, twelve, sixteen, and twenty feet below the surface over the deepest spot in the lake to record water temperatures hourly throughout the summer. In addition, temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected on several occasions to determine how deep well oxygenated water occurred. Survey results indicated summer dissolved oxygen concentrations and water temperatures were not limiting factors in Benson Lake in 2020. The lake currently maintains suitable habitat for stream trout throughout the open water season each year. Habitat conditions will continue to be monitored to evaluate the suitability of Benson Lake for stream trout management.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Brook Trout and Splake in Benson. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Benson has a maximum depth of 36 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Benson is from 1991. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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