Size
79ac
Boat Launch
Carry-in Launch
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Species in Bensel Pond
Northern pike
Overview
Bensel Pond 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
- Bluegill: See Panfish
- Bowfin: See Rough Fish
- 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
- Channel catfish: See Catfish
- Cisco and whitefish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
- Crappies: See Panfish
- Flathead catfish: See Catfish
- Hybrid, Striped, Yellow, and White Bass: See Rock, Yellow and White Bass
- Lake sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
- Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5
- Largemouth bass: See Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass
- Longnose gar: See Rough Fish
- Muskellunge and hybrids: May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1
- Northern pike: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 26” and the daily bag limit is 2
- Paddlefish: Closed. No fishing allowed.
- Panfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25
- Rock, Yellow, and White Bass: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
- Rough fish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
- Round goby: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
- Ruffe: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
- Sauger and hybrids: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids
- Shortnose gar: See Rough Fish
- Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
- Smallmouth bass: See Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass
- Trout and salmon: See Trout regulations layer
- Urban waters gamefish: This waterbody is not considered an urban water, Urban Waters Gamefish regulations do not apply
- Walleye: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids
- Walleye, Saugers, and Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 15” and the daily bag limit is 3
- White perch: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
Features
All types of waterfowl make use of the vast shallow weed beds. The Weaver Bottoms is a heavily used hunting area for migratory birds during the fall. During the spring and fall in this area the angler can see an amazing array of waterfowl from blue herons to migrating tundra swans among the lily-pad fields. No highway bridges cross over the river in this pool. The nearest crossings are at Wabasha, Minnesota and Winona, Minnesota. Anglers can find tow major park facilities adjacent to the pool such as John Latsch State Park in Minnesota and Buena Vista Park in Wisconsin. 5a is the shortest pool in the Upper Mississippi River in mile length. No highway bridges cross this pool with the nearest being at Winona. Merrick State Park is north of fountain City on Highway 35.
Forage
The primary forage species is gizzard shad. Other species include emerald shiner, river shiner, spotfin shiner, spottail shiner, mooneye, river darter, log perch and juvenile panfish.
Seasonal Movements
In pool 5 walleye begin to concentrate below the dam during the late winter months up to ice out in March. As the water temperature rises into the 40’s, walleye move upstream from winter areas into backwater areas for Spawning. Spawning takes place when the temperature is between 47-51 degrees which is usually in april. White bass concentrate below dams and spillways as the walleye run ends, which occurs in late April. Most largemouth are found in backwaters until mid-June since these are the first areas to warm. When the backwaters warm largemouth move to side channels and main channel borders where they can be found along riprap. Some of the largemouth summer in tributary streams. When the water cools bass move to low-current areas, in or near backwater complexes. Northern Pike share the same seasonal movement as Largemouth bass.
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Top Fish Species
Northern pike
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
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
