Bell

St. Louis County

Near Cusson

DOW: 69080500

Northern PikeExcellent · 77Yellow PerchGood · 57PumpkinseedGood · 51

A 110-acre lake near Cusson in St. Louis County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 2006.

Fish Species (6)

Northern Pike

Excellent · 77

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2006

Last surveyed 2006 — treat with caution

Avg Size

20.1"

Avg Weight

2.17 lbs

Catch rate: 13.5 per gill net

Size of catchable northern pike29% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 71%Largest sampled 28"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 2006	13.50	20.1"	2.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 27, 2006	1.44	20.1"	1.45 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 27, 2006	2.00	20.1"	-	1/4-in trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 57

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2006

Last surveyed 2006 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.6"

Avg Weight

0.19 lbs

Catch rate: 8.3 per gill net

Size of catchable yellow perch6% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 94%Largest sampled 10"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 2006	3.44	6.6"	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 27, 2006	12.50	6.6"	-	1/4-in trap nets
Jun 27, 2006	8.33	6.6"	0.19 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 51

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2006

Last surveyed 2006 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.4"

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 5.4 per trap net

Size of catchable pumpkinseed2% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 98%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 2006	3.00	4.4"	-	1/4-in trap nets
Jun 27, 2006	0.50	4.4"	0.15 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 27, 2006	5.44	4.4"	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Poor · 7

Below-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2006

Last surveyed 2006 — treat with caution

Avg Size

11.5"

Avg Weight

1.04 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 2006	0.17	11.5"	1.04 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 27, 2006	0.11	11.5"	0.90 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (2)

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

Black Bullhead

Excellent · 100

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2006

Last surveyed 2006 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.6"

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 6.8 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 2006	6.78	7.6"	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 27, 2006	172.50	7.6"	-	1/4-in trap nets
Jun 27, 2006	54.83	7.6"	0.38 lbs	Standard gill nets

Golden Shiner

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2006

Last surveyed 2006 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.06 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 2006	0.11	5.0"	0.06 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 27, 2006	76.00	5.0"	-	1/4-in trap nets

See the best northern pike lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Northeast zone

Angling: 2 (not more than 1 over 40" in possession. All from 30-40" must be immediatley released).

Crappie

10 combined total

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

Northeast zone

Darkhouse spearing: 2 (Not more than 1 over 26").

Bullhead

100

This lake is near a regulation-zone boundary — verify the zone on the DNR map.

Biologist Notes

June 27, 2006Bell Lake is a very shallow, 115 acre lake. The lake is located approximately four miles northeast of Orr, Minnesota. A private access was used during…

Bell Lake is a very shallow, 115 acre lake. The lake is located approximately four miles northeast of Orr, Minnesota. A private access was used during the survey. Black bullheads were abundant and were captured in gill nets at a rate of 54.8 fish/net. Total length ranged from 3.9-11.1. Two black crappies were captured during our investigation. Both were very large at 11.3 and 12.1 inches. Northern pike gill-net abundance was 13.5 fish/set. Nine year-classes were present and age ranged from 1-10 years. Total length ranged from 9.0-28.1 inches and the average weight was 2.2 pounds. Growth was below the area average. Yellow perch gill-net abundance was 8.3 fish/set. Five year-classes were present and age ranged from 3-7 years. Total length in gill nets ranged from 5.4-10.5 inches. Growth was slightly above the area average.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Bell?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed, and Black Crappie in Bell. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Bell?

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

When were the main sport fish in Bell last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bell is from 2006. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Bell have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Bell?

No — Bell has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.