Movil
A 855-acre lake near Bemidji in Beltrami County — best known for walleye and panfish. Last surveyed 2022.
Fish Species (20)
Walleye
Stocked 2025Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2021
Catch rate: 3.8 per gill net · typical 1.3–5.5 for a lake like this
Size from the Aug 2022 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.42 | 17.4" | 1.98 lbs |
| Aug 9, 2021 | 3.75 | 16.6" | 1.75 lbs |
| Aug 9, 2021 | 0.17 | 16.6" | 1.38 lbs |
Stocking Details
| Year | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | fry | 504,000 | 4.4 |
| 2023 | fry | 513,000 | 4.2 |
| 2021 | fry | 513,000 | 4.4 |
| 2019 | fry | 513,000 | 4.1 |
| 2017 | fry | 516,000 | 4.1 |
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2021
Catch rate: 1.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.17 | 7.0" | 0.24 lbs |
| Aug 9, 2021 | 1.50 | 10.6" | 0.88 lbs |
| Aug 1, 2016 | 0.17 | 9.0" | 0.43 lbs |
Above-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2021
Catch rate: 9.7 per gill net · typical 3.1–8.5 for a lake like this
Size from the Aug 2022 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.67 | 21.4" | 2.01 lbs |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.33 | 21.4" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.30 | 21.4" | - |
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Aug 2016
Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 23.4 · Electrofishing survey
Size from the Aug 2022 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 7.90 | 7.5" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 1.25 | 7.5" | 0.55 lbs |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 50.01 | 7.5" | - |
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 2.0 per trap net · typical 0.6–2.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 5.67 | 4.5" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 7.00 | 4.5" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 2.00 | 4.5" | 0.15 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.25 | 6.7" | 0.32 lbs |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.47 | 6.7" | - |
| Aug 9, 2021 | 0.17 | 8.2" | 0.60 lbs |
Typical numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 20.8 per trap net · typical 5.6–42.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 23.90 | 4.6" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 20.83 | 4.6" | 0.13 lbs |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 27.11 | 4.6" | - |
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2021
Catch rate: 16.2 per gill net · typical 2.5–24.2 for a lake like this
Size from the Aug 2022 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 2.00 | 5.5" | 0.10 lbs |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 7.33 | 5.5" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 55.90 | 5.5" | - |
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Aug 2016
Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.1 · Electrofishing survey
Size from the Aug 2022 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.33 | 6.2" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 1.20 | 6.2" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.42 | 6.2" | 0.15 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 1.7–8.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.60 | 4.5" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.50 | 4.5" | 0.12 lbs |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.47 | 4.5" | - |
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2021
Catch rate: 0.49 · Electrofishing survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 29, 2021 | 0.49 | - | - |
Other species in this lake (9)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Typical numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2016
Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 9, 2021 | 0.08 | 10.0" | 0.65 lbs |
| Aug 1, 2016 | 0.50 | 13.5" | 1.48 lbs |
| Jul 30, 2007 | 0.17 | 12.5" | 1.37 lbs |
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2021
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–3.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.20 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 2.80 | - | - |
| Aug 9, 2021 | 0.50 | 19.0" | 2.98 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 0.08 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.08 | 15.0" | 2.18 lbs |
| Jun 15, 1984 | 0.10 | - | 0.88 lbs |
| Jun 22, 1978 | 0.17 | - | 2.40 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2007
Last surveyed 2007 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.08 per gill net · typical 0.2–1.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 30, 2007 | 0.08 | 19.0" | 2.88 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 0.58 per trap net · typical 1.5–7.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.33 | 10.4" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.20 | 10.4" | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.58 | 10.4" | 0.83 lbs |
Seining survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 3.3 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 1.20 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 4.67 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 3.33 | - | - |
Seining survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 0.67 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 19.40 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 14.96 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.67 | - | - |
Seining survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 0.33 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 4.40 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 8.41 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.33 | - | - |
Seining survey · surveyed Aug 2022
Catch rate: 0.3 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2022 | 8.41 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.33 | - | - |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0.30 | - | - |
Fishing Regulations
Special regulations on this lake
DNR special regulations override the statewide limits.
Northern Pike
All from 22-30" must be immediately released. Possession limit 10, only one over 30".
Sunfish
Including connected Turtle River
Daily limit five.
Statewide limits
Statewide limits — apply unless a special regulation above overrides them.
Walleye and Sauger
Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"
Overridden on this lake — see special regulation above.
Northern Pike
Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
North-central zone
Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).
Largemouth Bass
Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026
Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones
Catch-and-release only
Largemouth Bass
Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones
6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)
Smallmouth Bass
Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026
Smallmouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones
Catch-and-release only
Smallmouth Bass
Season: May 23, 2026 – Sep 13, 2026
Smallmouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones
6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth
Smallmouth Bass
Season: Sep 14, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
Smallmouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones
Catch-and-release only
Crappie
10 combined total
Overridden on this lake — see special regulation above.
Sunfish
20 combined total
Perch
20 daily and 40 in possession
More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)
Overridden on this lake — see special regulation above.
Northern Pike
Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
North-central zone
Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").
Rock Bass
30
Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers
no limit
Bullhead
100
Biologist Notes
August 4, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Movil Lake on August 4th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity a…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Movil Lake on August 4th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 18.0 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 21.3 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 3.3 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 18.6 degrees C (65.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 3 years, between 2011-2023, indicate marginal oxythermal habitat in most years when surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2011 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 0.4 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 4, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Movil Lake on August 4th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity a…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Movil Lake on August 4th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 18.0 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 21.3 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 3.3 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 18.6 degrees C (65.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 3 years, between 2011-2023, indicate marginal oxythermal habitat in most years when surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2011 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 0.4 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 4, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Movil Lake on August 4th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity a…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Movil Lake on August 4th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 18.0 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 21.3 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 3.3 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 18.6 degrees C (65.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 3 years, between 2011-2023, indicate marginal oxythermal habitat in most years when surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2011 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 0.4 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Movil?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Rock Bass in Movil. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Movil?
We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Movil. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.
How deep is Movil?
Movil has a maximum depth of 50 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Movil last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Movil is from 2022.
Does Movil have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Movil in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
Are there special fishing regulations on Movil?
Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 2 special rules for Movil, covering northern pike and sunfish. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 855.17 acres
- Max Depth
- 50 ft
- Shoreline
- 9.18 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed
Location
47.5898°N, 94.8599°W
Depth contours: Minnesota DNR, digitized from lake surveys of varying vintage. Water levels change — verify on the water.
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