Lake Benton Fishing
Lincoln County, 2,699 acres, 9 feet deep.
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Lake Benton in numbers
In Lincoln County, Lake Benton spreads across 2,699 acres as a lake. It reaches 9 feet at its deepest point, with an average of 7.2 feet. Water shallower than 15 feet makes up 2,649 acres, or 98%. Census data put Lake Benton nearest, around 3 miles away. The Windom DNR fisheries crew handles surveys here.
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass, going by DNR survey records. Public use comes through 6 public water accesses, 4 of them trailer launches. A standard survey on August 4, 2025 is the newest on file. At 6.5 walleye per gill net, the catch ran within the 3.2-15.3 normal range.
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Read each row against its normal range; data from the standard survey on August 4, 2025.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 39 | 6.5 | 3.2-15.3 | 2.66 | 0.9-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 14 | 0.93 | 0.3-1.7 | 2.29 | 0.9-2.4 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 9 | 1.5 | 1.2-7.8 | 4.02 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 9 | 0.6 | 3.82 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 67 | 11.17 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.35 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 9 | 0.6 | 0.3-2.6 | 0.31 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 80 | 13.33 | 0.8-11.1 | 0.27 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 149 | 9.93 | 1.0-12.3 | 0.24 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.17 | 0.2 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.13 | 1.0-14.9 | 0.24 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Black bullhead | Standard gill nets | 425 | 70.83 | 4.6-83.0 | 0.2 | 0.2-0.6 |
| Black bullhead | Standard trap nets | 107 | 7.13 | 1.3-78.1 | 0.6 | 0.2-0.6 |
What the Lake Benton gill nets held
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR notes on Lake Benton
“Lake Benton is a 2,857-acre lake located in Lincoln County nine miles east of the Minnesota-South Dakota border and adjacent to the city of Lake Benton.”
“Lake Benton has a maximum depth of 9 feet, a 12-year average Secchi depth of 1.6 feet (range = 0.5-2.5), and at times supports aquatic vegetation.”
“Historically turbid water conditions often create a situation where both submergent and emergent aquatic vegetation is sparse.”
“The native submergent composition, although scarce, is sago and coontail and invasive curly-leaf pondweed on the east end of the lake.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Lake Benton (report). Checked October 2026.
Trailering a boat to Lake Benton
- Lake Benton, Norwegian Creek (S) Access2 ramps, 12 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, Lincoln County
- Lake Benton, Stoney Point Access2 ramps, 15 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, City of Tyler
- Lake Benton (SW) Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Lake Benton, Norwegian Creek (N) Access1 ramp, 12 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Lincoln County
- Lake Benton, Crows Nest Accesscarry-in access, 2 trailer stalls, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Lake Benton, Showboat Accesscarry-in access, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Fishing piers along Lake Benton
- Benton Fishing Pierfishing pier, City of Lake Benton
- Lake Benton Fishing Pierfishing pier, Lincoln County Parks
Landings neighboring Lake Benton
- Stay Lake AccessStay, 8 miles northeast
- Dead Coon Lake (S) AccessDead Coon (Main Lake), 8 miles northeast
- Shaokatan Lake (S) AccessShaokotan, 10 miles northwest
- Ash Lake (N) AccessNorth Ash, 10 miles north
- Shoakatan Lake (NW) AccessShaokotan, 10 miles northwest
- East Twin Lake Access near FlorenceWest Twin, 11 miles southeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
The Lake Benton basin
Secchi disk readings on Lake Benton number 11, the first in 2006.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Gauge readings for Lake Benton
Gauge readers send the DNR the Lake Benton readings; the newest is shown with its date.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Lake Benton fish list
The list for Lake Benton follows the DNR LakeFinder record of fish caught in surveys over the last ten years or the latest survey.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Keeping walleye and panfish from Lake Benton
Lake Benton has no lake-specific limit in the DNR tables.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Southern Zone) | 2 (minimum size 24") | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Southern Zone) | 2 (minimum size 24") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Zone rows for Lake Benton: Southern Zone.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Lakes near Lake Benton, side by side
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Benton | 2,699 | 9 | 6 | 6.5 | |
| Stay Lake | 8 miles northeast | 221 | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| Slough | 9 miles northeast | 160 | 13 | 0 | 8 |
| Dead Coon (Main Lake) | 9 miles northeast | 547 | 9 | 1 | 12.33 |
| Shaokotan Lake | 10 miles northwest | 996 | 10 | 2 | 25 |
| West Twin Lake, Lyon County | 10 miles southeast | 220 | 10 | 2 | 3 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Near Lake Benton on the map
Lakes neighboring Lake Benton
- Stay Lake8 miles northeast
- Slough9 miles northeast
- Dead Coon (Main Lake)9 miles northeast
- Shaokotan Lake10 miles northwest
- West Twin Lake, Lyon County10 miles southeast
Where to grab leeches near Lake Benton
- Rainbow Baitbait and tackle shop, Ruthton, 10 miles
Lodging towns close to Lake Benton
- Lake Benton3 miles
- Tyler5 miles
- Arco7 miles
Lake Benton county pages
- Lincoln Countyseat: Ivanhoe
Piscifun tackle for a day on Lake Benton
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What Minnesota anglers ask about Lake Benton
Where in Minnesota is Lake Benton?
Lincoln County holds it, managed from the Windom fisheries office, about 3 miles from Lake Benton.
How many acres does LakeFinder list for Lake Benton?
About 2,699 acres, 9 feet at the deepest.
How many accesses does Lake Benton have?
6 public accesses, including Lake Benton, Norwegian Creek (S) Access.
Which fish has the DNR found in Lake Benton?
DNR surveys list walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and black bullhead.
How many walleye did the DNR net in Lake Benton?
On August 4, 2025, a standard survey. walleye ran 6.5 per gill net.
What are the limits on Lake Benton?
Nothing beyond statewide limits; it sits in the Southern Zone.
What does a license for Lake Benton cost?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
When does the ice go out on Lake Benton?
About 1.5 feet of clarity on average.
Which shop is nearest Lake Benton?
Try Rainbow Bait, around 10 miles off.
Get out on Lake Benton this season
Buy the Minnesota license online before the drive north.