Lester

Hubbard County

Near Benedict

DOW: 29004900

BluegillExcellent · 77Northern PikeGood · 61Largemouth BassGood · 50

A 72-acre lake near Benedict in Hubbard County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 2010.

Fish Species (7)

Bluegill

Excellent · 77

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2010

Last surveyed 2010 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.6"

Avg Weight

0.38 lbs

Catch rate: 18.5 per trap net · typical 2.9–41.2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill73% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 27%Largest sampled 10"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 2010	18.50	7.6"	0.38 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Good · 61

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2010

Last surveyed 2010 — treat with caution

Avg Size

18.2"

Avg Weight

2.05 lbs

Catch rate: 11.0 per gill net · typical 2.7–9.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike15% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 85%Largest sampled 37"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 2010	11.00	18.2"	2.05 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 7, 2010	2.33	18.2"	1.37 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2010

Last surveyed 2010 — treat with caution

Avg Size

13.2"

Avg Weight

2.08 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.4–2 for a lake like this

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

All keeper-sizeLargest sampled 19"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 2010	0.50	13.2"	2.08 lbs	Standard trap nets

Rock Bass

Average · 47

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2010

Last surveyed 2010 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.7"

Avg Weight

0.38 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 2010	0.25	6.7"	0.38 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 29

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2010

Last surveyed 2010 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.4"

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 1.9–19.1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch3% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 97%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 2010	2.25	6.4"	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 7, 2010	3.00	6.4"	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 13

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2010

Last surveyed 2010 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.3"

Avg Weight

0.21 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 1.5–7.4 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 2010	1.00	5.3"	0.21 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (1)

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

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 2010	0.17	11.0"	0.90 lbs	Standard trap nets

Fishing Regulations

Special regulations on this lake

DNR special regulations override the statewide limits.

All Species
Catch-and-release only.

Statewide limits

Statewide limits — apply unless a special regulation above overrides them.

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)

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

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

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

July 7, 2010Lester Lake has a surface area of 67 acres and is located six miles south of Laporte in northeastern Hubbard County. Lester Lake and the surrounding s…

Lester Lake has a surface area of 67 acres and is located six miles south of Laporte in northeastern Hubbard County. Lester Lake and the surrounding shoreline were purchased by the state in 2010 and is managed as a Scientific and Natural Area and Aquatic Management Area. There is a carry-in access located on the northeast shore of the lake. The 2010 survey was the first time that the lake has been surveyed by the DNR. Due to its small size and potential for over-harvest, a catch and release regulation for all species was implemented in the fall of 2010. Lester Lake provides fishing opportunities for bluegill, largemouth bass, and northern pike. Bluegill were sampled in moderate numbers (18.5 bluegill/trapnet) for this area. The bluegill population was composed of quality-sized fish for this area. Sampled bluegill had an average length and weight of 8.1 inches and 0.5 pounds, with fish measured up to 10.6 inches. Pumpkinseed were sampled in low numbers with fish in the 5 to 7 inch size range. Local anglers have reported good fishing for largemouth bass and an occasional large northern pike. Northern pike abundance (11.0 pike/gillnet) was high for this area. Average size of sampled northern pike was small (17.7 inches); however, larger fish are present with pike measured up to 37.2 inches. Largemouth bass up to 19.1 inches were sampled. Other species sampled included rock bass and yellow bullhead in low numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Lester?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Bluegill, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, and Yellow Perch in Lester. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Lester?

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Lester. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

How deep is Lester?

Lester has a maximum depth of 40 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Lester last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Lester is from 2010. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Lester have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Lester in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Lester?

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 1 special rule for Lester, covering all species. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.