Belle

Meeker County

Near Hutchinson

DOW: 47004901

Largemouth BassGood · 60White CrappieGood · 52WalleyeGood · 52

A 864-acre lake near Hutchinson in Meeker County — best known for bass and panfish. Last surveyed 2024.

Fish Species (18)

Largemouth Bass

Good · 60

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2022

Avg Size

14.3"

Avg Weight

1.76 lbs

Catch rate: 6.7 · Electrofishing survey

Size of catchable largemouth bass100% keeper-size (12"+)

All keeper-sizeLargest sampled 16"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 2022	0.08	14.3"	2.24 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 25, 2022	6.67	14.3"	1.76 lbs	Standard electrofishing
Jul 25, 2022	6.67	14.3"	1.76 lbs	Standard electrofishing

White Crappie

Good · 52

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2009

Last surveyed 2009 — treat with caution

Avg Size

11.0"

Avg Weight

0.71 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per gill net · typical 0.7–10.4 for a lake like this

Size of catchable white crappie67% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 33%Largest sampled 13"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 2009	0.17	11.0"	0.71 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 15, 2009	0.08	11.0"	1.29 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 15, 2009	0.17	11.0"	0.71 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Good · 52

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2024

Avg Size

16.9"

Avg Weight

2.09 lbs

Catch rate: 9.7 per gill net · typical 1.2–6.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye0% keeper-size (15"+)

10–14" · 100%Largest sampled 14"

Size from the Sep 2025 survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 22, 2025	47.00	8.4"	0.22 lbs	Fall electrofishing
Sep 24, 2024	141.00	8.1"	0.19 lbs	Fall electrofishing
Sep 24, 2024	141.00	8.1"	0.19 lbs	Fall electrofishing

Northern Pike

Good · 50

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2024

Avg Size

20.4"

Avg Weight

2.04 lbs

Catch rate: 5.4 per gill net · typical 1.5–7.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike12% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 88%Largest sampled 30"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 2024	5.42	20.4"	2.04 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 2022	1.42	25.7"	3.57 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 2022	1.00	25.7"	3.73 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Average · 39

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2024

Avg Size

4.6"

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 18.3 per gill net · typical 2.5–16.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie0% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 2024	18.33	4.6"	0.07 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 2022	1.50	7.9"	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 2022	0.75	7.9"	0.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 35

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2024

Avg Size

5.7"

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 20.0 per gill net · typical 2–27.9 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch0% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 2024	20.00	5.7"	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 2022	1.42	5.3"	0.09 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 2022	1.42	5.3"	0.09 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 34

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.3"

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.7–4.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 2024	0.17	3.0"	0.04 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 2022	0.08	4.0"	0.08 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 2022	0.08	4.0"	0.08 lbs	Standard gill nets

Green Sunfish

Poor · 24

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.4"

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.42 per trap net · typical 0.2–1.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable green sunfish0% keeper-size (7"+)

3–6" · 100%Largest sampled 6"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 20, 2022	6.90	-	-	Backpack electrofishing
Jun 20, 2022	6.90	-	-	Backpack electrofishing
Jun 6, 2016	0.42	4.4"	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Poor · 24

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022

Avg Size

4.0"

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 1.7 per trap net · typical 7.5–62.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 2024	0.08	4.0"	0.08 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 2022	1.67	4.0"	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 25, 2022	1.67	4.0"	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Poor · 13

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022

Avg Size

3.7"

Avg Weight

0.05 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net

Size of catchable hybrid sunfish0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 4"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 2022	0.25	3.7"	0.05 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 25, 2022	0.25	3.7"	0.05 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 20, 2022	4.39	-	-	Backpack electrofishing

Other species in this lake (8)

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

Common Carp

Excellent · 80

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2024

Avg Size

24.3"

Avg Weight

7.07 lbs

Catch rate: 3.2 per gill net · typical 0.3–3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 2024	3.17	24.3"	7.07 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 2022	3.17	22.6"	5.77 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 2022	1.08	22.6"	6.09 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Good · 59

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022

Avg Size

11.0"

Avg Weight

0.81 lbs

Catch rate: 1.1 per trap net · typical 0.7–25.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 2024	5.17	10.0"	0.75 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 2022	1.58	11.0"	0.89 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 2022	1.58	11.0"	0.89 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Bullhead

Good · 56

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022

Avg Size

11.0"

Avg Weight

0.81 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per trap net · typical 0.9–5.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 2022	1.25	11.0"	0.81 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 25, 2022	0.50	11.0"	0.72 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 2022	1.25	11.0"	0.81 lbs	Standard trap nets

Brown Bullhead

Good · 56

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022

Avg Size

12.3"

Avg Weight

1.05 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.2–1.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 2022	0.25	12.3"	1.05 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 25, 2022	0.25	12.3"	1.05 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 13, 2020	0.25	10.3"	0.66 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Average · 40

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022

Avg Size

17.8"

Avg Weight

2.37 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per gill net · typical 0.4–2.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 2022	0.25	17.8"	2.78 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 25, 2022	0.17	17.8"	2.37 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 2022	0.25	17.8"	2.78 lbs	Standard trap nets

Golden Shiner

Poor · 19

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2024

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 0.08 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 2024	0.08	5.0"	0.08 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 20, 2022	0.17	-	-	50-ft beach seine
Jun 20, 2022	0.17	-	-	50-ft beach seine

Fathead Minnow

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jun 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 0.6 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 1, 1998	0.60	-	-	Survey seining
Jun 1, 1998	0.60	-	-	Survey seining

Iowa Darter

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jun 2022

Catch rate: 12.1 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 20, 2022	12.08	-	-	50-ft beach seine
Jun 20, 2022	3.77	-	-	Backpack electrofishing
Jun 20, 2022	12.08	-	-	50-ft beach seine

Biologist Notes

September 22, 2025A targeted survey (fall nighttime electrofishing) was conducted on Belle Lake on September 22nd, 2025, to evaluate young of the year (YOY) and yearlin…

A targeted survey (fall nighttime electrofishing) was conducted on Belle Lake on September 22nd, 2025, to evaluate young of the year (YOY) and yearling Walleye abundance. A total of 27 YOY were sampled for a catch rate of 27.0 fish/hr., which was below the lake's historical (1993 to 2025) median (52.2 fish/hr.). This indicated that a substantial YOY year class was present. In 2025, the average length for YOY was 6.9 inches, which was above Belle's historical average (6.2 inches). Walleye fry were not stocked in 2025, so those fish resulted from natural reproduction. In 2025, a total of 16 yearlings were sampled for a catch rate of 16.0 fish/hr., which was equal to Belle's historical (2017 to 2025) yearling median (16.0 fish/hr.) and indicated that a substantial year class was present. The average length for the yearlings was 11.1 inches and was below Belle's historical average (11.6 inches). Due to the significant natural reproduction of Walleye at Belle, the lake will only be stocked with Walleye fry if two consecutive fall electrofishing catch rates drop below 20 YOY/hr. Belle Lake is electrofished annually.

September 24, 2024A targeted survey (fall nighttime electrofishing) was conducted on Belle Lake on September 24th, 2024, to evaluate young of the year (YOY) and yearlin…

A targeted survey (fall nighttime electrofishing) was conducted on Belle Lake on September 24th, 2024, to evaluate young of the year (YOY) and yearling Walleye abundance. A total of 87 YOY were sampled for a catch rate of 87.0 fish/h, which was above the lake's historical (1993-2024) median (56.4 fish/h) and indicated that a substantial year class was present. In 2024, the average length for YOY was 6.6 inches, which was above Belle's historical average (6.2 inches). Walleye fry have not been stocked in Belle Lake since 2018. In 2024, a total of 54 yearlings were sampled for a catch rate of 54.0 fish/h, which was above Belle's historical (2017-2024) yearling median (14.0 fish/h) and indicated that a substantial year class was present. The yearling catch rate was the second highest catch on record for Belle Lake. The average length for the yearlings was 11.6 inches and was slightly below Belle's historical average (11.7 inches). Natural reproduction has been consistently observed at Belle and the lake management plan calls for supplemental walleye fry stocking only if two consecutive fall electrofishing surveys return catch rates below 20 YOY/h. Belle Lake is fall electrofished annually.

September 24, 2024A targeted survey (fall nighttime electrofishing) was conducted on Belle Lake on September 24th, 2024, to evaluate young of the year (YOY) and yearlin…

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Belle?

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