Fenton Lake

Fenton Lake

Size
70ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Fenton Lake
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Bluegill
Bluegill
Northern pike
Northern pike
Crappie
Crappie
Walleye
Walleye
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Perch
Perch
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass

Overview

Fenton Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Special Waterbody Regulations

  • Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.

Special Species Regulations

  • Cisco and whitefish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
  • Flathead catfish: See Catfish.
  • Crappies: See Panfish.
  • Channel catfish: See Catfish.
  • Bowfin: See Rough Fish.
  • Bluegill: See Panfish.
  • White perch: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
  • Trout and salmon: See Trout regulations layer.
  • Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
  • Ruffe: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
  • Round goby: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
  • Rough fish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
  • Rock, Yellow, and White Bass: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
  • Paddlefish: Closed. No fishing allowed.
  • Smallmouth bass: See Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
  • Largemouth bass: See Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
  • Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5
  • Northern pike: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5
  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 24, 2025 to December 31, 2025: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1
  • Hybrid, Striped, Yellow, and White Bass: See Rock, Yellow and White Bass.
  • Longnose gar: See Rough Fish.
  • Sauger and hybrids: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
  • Shortnose gar: See Rough Fish.
  • Urban waters gamefish: This waterbody is not considered an urban water, Urban Waters Gamefish regulations do not apply.
  • Walleye: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
  • Panfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25
  • Walleye, Saugers, and Hybrids: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: The minimum length is 15”, but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20” to 24” may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24” is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3
  • Bullheads: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
  • Catfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
  • Lake sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
7-21 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
592.5
0Statewide Range849.0614

Fenton Lake Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
May
2024
May
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20249
Crappie
fish
7-21 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
15
0Statewide Range84.8403

Fenton Lake Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
May
2024
May
Largemouth bass
fish
7-21 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
72.6041
0Statewide Range83.5649

Fenton Lake Largemouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
May
2024
May
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized largemouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202420
Northern pike
fish
7-21 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
17.425
0Statewide Range16.72075

Fenton Lake Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
May
2024
May
Perch
fish
7-21 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
May
2024
May
Pumpkinseed
fish
7-21 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
5
0Statewide Range84.67115

Fenton Lake Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
May
2024
May
Smallmouth bass
fish
8-9 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2011
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2011
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
May
Walleye
fish
7-21 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
May
2024
May