Beason

Scott County

Near Belle Plaine

DOW: 70034000

Green SunfishAverage · 47BluegillAverage · 44Northern PikeAverage · 43

A 4-acre lake near Belle Plaine in Scott County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1994.

Fish Species (10)

Green Sunfish

Average · 47

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.0"

Avg Weight

0.24 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net · typical 0.4–3.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1994	0.11	3.0"	0.24 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 21, 1994	1.50	3.0"	0.01 lbs	Survey seining

Bluegill

Average · 44

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

2.2"

Avg Weight

0.32 lbs

Catch rate: 0.22 per trap net · typical 2.8–43.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1994	5.00	2.2"	-	Survey seining
Jun 21, 1994	0.22	2.2"	0.32 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 43

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

21.9"

Avg Weight

2.58 lbs

Catch rate: 0.89 per trap net

Size of catchable northern pike13% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 87%Largest sampled 29"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1994	0.89	21.9"	2.58 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Poor · 15

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.8"

Avg Weight

0.27 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 1.3–27.7 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie0% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 100%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1994	1.00	6.8"	0.27 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jun 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.5"

Catch rate: 1.0 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1994	1.00	3.5"	-	Survey seining

Other species in this lake (5)

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

Black Bullhead

Excellent · 77

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.1"

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 302.6 per trap net · typical 2.5–70.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1994	302.56	6.1"	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 39

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

9.2"

Avg Weight

0.44 lbs

Catch rate: 0.56 per trap net · typical 0.3–4.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1994	0.56	9.2"	0.44 lbs	Standard trap nets

Common Carp

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jun 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 1.0 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1994	1.00	-	-	Survey seining

Fathead Minnow

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jun 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 1.0 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1994	1.00	-	-	Survey seining

Johnny Darter

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jun 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 8.0 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 21, 1994	8.00	-	-	Survey seining

See the best green sunfish 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

Southern zone

Angling: 2 (Minimum size 24").

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

Southern zone

Darkhouse spearing: 2 (Minimum size 24").

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

June 21, 1994Due to the flooding of the Minnesota River the Beason Lake fish population is constantly changing. High water allows the fish to enter and exit the la…

Due to the flooding of the Minnesota River the Beason Lake fish population is constantly changing. High water allows the fish to enter and exit the lake at will. The most numerous species found during the 1994 lake survey was black bullheads. Their population far exceeded the number normally found in similar lakes. Bowfin were also found in above average numbers. The two main management species, black crappies and bluegills, were found in low numbers. Only nine black crappies and two bluegills were sampled out of nine trapnets. These species are normally stocked annually into Beason Lake, which is used as a children's fishing pond. Flooding has prevented the stocking of these species in 1993 and 1994. Northern pike, which are not normally found in this type of a lake, were also netted. Their average size was 22.4 inches and 2.6 pounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Beason?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Green Sunfish, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Black Crappie in Beason. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Beason?

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

How deep is Beason?

Beason has a maximum depth of 6 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Beason last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Beason is from 1994. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Beason have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Beason?

No — Beason has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide sunfish limit is: 20 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.