French

French Lake is an 816-acre (398 littoral acres), hypereutrophic lake situated in an agricultural watershed with small woodlots northwest of the city of Faribault in Rice County. French Lake is classified as a class 24 lake with a Shoreline Development Index of 1.17. Lakeshore development is moderate to intense. French Lake is the only Muskellunge managed water in the nine county Waterville Fisheries Management Area and has been stocked with Muskellunge fingerlings since 1974. Historically, French Lake was stocked with approximately 600 Muskellunge fingerlings of various strains, each fall. Since 2014, French Lake has been stocked with 398 Leech Lake strain Muskellunge fingerlings annually. A decreased stocking rate serves several purposes including: decrease the cost of Muskellunge stocking in French Lake, provide more Muskellunge to be stocked in other Muskellunge managed waters throughout the state, and decrease the potential for growth reductions due to high abundance. The stocking rate of 1.0 Muskellunge per littoral acre annually will be maintained at least until a more in-depth population assessment can be completed. The second phase of a two-year population assessment was conducted in May 2023 and a third year was added in 2024. A total of 58 adult Muskellunge were sampled in 35 nets for a catch-per-unit-effort of 1.7 Muskellunge per net night. Eighty-two percent (n = 47) of Muskellunge examined (n = 57) were male and 18% (n = 10) were female. Muskellunge CPUE of 1.7 per trap night exceeded the management goal of at least 1 Muskellunge per trap night. The average length of Muskellunge sampled in 2023 was 39.3 in and ranged from 29.3 to 49.5 in. The management goal of fish greater than 50 in present was not met. Average length of Muskellunge appears to have leveled off and has hovered around 40 inches in each survey since 2002. Maximum length appears to have reached its full potential in 2004 and has been near 50 inches in subsequent surveys. Trophy length fish have always been rare in French Lake and no fish over 50 inches were sampled in 2023. The average length of Muskellunge sampled in 2024 was 36.8 in and ranged from 11.6 in. to 48.8 in. The management goal of fish greater than 50 in present was not met. Average length of Muskellunge appears to have reached an asymptote in 2002 and has hovered around 40 inches in each survey since 2002 (Figure 2). Maximum length appears to have reached its full potential in 2004 and has been near 50 inches in subsequent surveys. Trophy length fish have always been rare in French Lake. A population estimate was calculated for adult fish present in 2023 following sampling in spring of 2024. We estimated 56 females and 163 males over 30 inches were present in French Lake in 2023. Also, there is strong evidence that large fingerlings had much higher probabilities of survival to 2023-2024 than small fingerlings. -Brandon Eder, assistant area supervisor

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff delineated the floating leaf and emergent aquatic vegetation of French lake 09/18/2023, following the protocols listed in the MN DNR Lake Plant Mapping Manual. Emergent and floating-leaf vegetation was extremely limited with only 0.3 acres mapped. This consisted of 0.2 acres of emergent dominated plant communities and 0.1 acres of floating leaf plant communities. The following taxa were noted during the survey: bulrush (round-stem group) (Schoenoplectus spp.), cattail (Typha spp.), and white waterlily (Nymphaea odorata). For more information see map and summary table below.

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff delineated the floating leaf and emergent aquatic vegetation of French lake 09/18/2023, following the protocols listed in the MN DNR Lake Plant Mapping Manual. Emergent and floating-leaf vegetation was extremely limited with only 0.3 acres mapped. This consisted of 0.2 acres of emergent dominated plant communities and 0.1 acres of floating leaf plant communities. The following taxa were noted during the survey: bulrush (round-stem group) (Schoenoplectus spp.), cattail (Typha spp.), and white waterlily (Nymphaea odorata). For more information see map and summary table below.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, and Walleye in French. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for French. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

French has a maximum depth of 56 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in French is from 2023.

Yes — French has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.

No — French has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide muskellunge limit is: 1, minimum size 54". Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.