Benson Lake (Lake County)
Lake County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data
Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 38001800
DNR records show 9 stocking entries at Benson Lake (Lake County) since 2016, most recently splake fingerlings in 2024 (2,500 fish).
- Benson Lake (Lake County) has 9 DNR stocking records across 9 years (2016-2024): splake (9).
- The most-stocked species by count is splake: 22,995 fish on record.
- Maximum depth 36 ft; surface area 19 acres, 12 littoral acres, 0.8 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
- Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 13.4 ft.
- Fish species DNR lists here: splake.
- 1 public access on the DNR list.
- Most recent DNR fish survey: (standard survey).
- Lake County, nearest town Finland; DNR lake number (DOW) 38001800.
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Splake | fingerlings | 2,500 | 78.7 |
| 2023 | Splake | fingerlings | 2,500 | 70.6 |
| 2022 | Splake | fingerlings | 2,745 | 75.0 |
| 2021 | Splake | fingerlings | 2,830 | 72.8 |
| 2020 | Splake | fingerlings | 1,857 | 60.3 |
| 2019 | Splake | fingerlings | 3,075 | 115.6 |
| 2018 | Splake | fingerlings | 2,488 | 114.1 |
| 2017 | Splake | fingerlings | 2,500 | 122.5 |
| 2016 | Splake | fingerlings | 2,500 | 56.8 |
Public accesses
| Type | Owner | Where |
|---|---|---|
| CA | Minnesota DNR | Lake is within the boundary of Crosby/Manitou State Park. Access to the Northwest side of the lake is gained via the access road in the parlk. A vehicle permit is required. |
DNR fish survey, 2025
| Species | Gear | Catch per net | Total catch | Avg lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Splake | Standard trap nets | 19.93 | 299 | 0.60 |
Catch per net (CPUE) is the DNR survey's count per gill net or trap net set; higher means more of that species were sampled, not a fishing forecast. Top species per gear shown; where we have no verified common name for a DNR code, the code itself is shown.
Benson Lake is a designated trout lake located entirely within George Crosby Manitou State Park that is stocked each fall with 2,500 fingerling Splake. There is a carry-in access with a small unloading area adjacent to a picnic area on the north end of the lake. A state park vehicle permit is required and no gasoline powered motors are allowed on the lake to maintain solitude for visitors. Also, there is a hiking trail around the lake that has some areas suitable for shore fishing. The lake was surveyed in October of 2025 to assess the effectiveness of the current stocking effort and to document angling opportunities the lake provides. In total, 299 Splake were sampled during the survey, marking the highest catch on record for the lake. Sampled fish ranged from seven to 17 inches long with an average length of 12 inches and included 11 fish longer than 16 inches. Splake from at least two stockings were present confirming that the habitat in the lake is suitable for Splake to survive for multiple years and that there is enough food available to allow the Splake to grow to sizes preferred by anglers. Benson Lake supports an abundant Splake population that gives anglers good opportunities to catch and harvest trout.
Minnesota DNR survey narrative, .
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