Bello Lake

How big is Bello Lake?

How deep is Bello Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Bello Lake?

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Are there boat launches on Bello Lake?

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Bello Lake is located about four miles north of Marcell, MN, within the Chippewa National Forest. Largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill are the species managed in Bello Lake.

Passive sampling gears tend to inadequately sample bass populations. An active capture technique, electrofishing, was used to sample the largemouth bass population. Largemouth were sampled at a rate of 58.5 fish per hour, up from the previous assessment of 11.8 fish per hour. Largemouth averaged about 12 inches in length, with the longest being 20.6 inches indicating a quality fishery exists. Most of the fish sampled in the previous assessment were less then 12 inches. Anglers can help maintain the fishery by practicing catch-and-release. Scale analysis indicated seven age classes present, with fish up to age-9 in the sample. Growth was near the statewide average for all ages, except age-1, which was below average.

Black crappie were sampled in gill nets at a rate above the expected range for lakes similar to Bello. Trap nets also sampled crappie at a rate within the expected range. Previous catch rates were within to slightly above the expected range, similar to the 2007 assessment. The average length was 6.3 inches, and the longest sampled was 10.7 inches. A moderate proportion of preferred-sized fish exists, however angler accounts may suggest that this is under estimated. Six age classes were identified through scale analysis, with fish up to age-seven present. Growth was below the statewide average for all ages, except age-6 and -7, which was within the expected range.

Bluegill were the most abundant fish sampled in gill nets, at a rate relatively higher then previous assessment. Trap netting tends to more accurately sample the preferred shallow water area. The trap net catch rate was near the lower end of the expected range, similar to the previous assessment. Lengths varied from 3.3-8.7 inches with an average length of 5.6 inches. The size structure appears to be moderate to low with an average proportion of quality length fish and few individuals exceeding eight inches. Scale analysis indicates that there were eight age classes present with individuals up to age-9 present. Growth was near the lake class statewide average for all ages.

Northern pike were the second most abundant fish sampled in gill nets. While the previous assessment had a slightly higher catch rate, both catch rates exceeded the expected range for similar lakes. Past assessments show an increasing population trend, however 2007 was the first catch rate that decreased from the previous assessment. The size structure is moderate with a good proportion above quality length fish, yet few individuals exceeded the preferred length of 28 inches. Lengths ranged from 12.6-30.4 inches with an average length of 21.7 inches. Scale and bone analysis identified eight age classes with individuals up to age-8 present. Growth was similar to the statewide average for all ages.

Yellow perch were sampled at a rate lower then the expected range, however it was still within the range of previous sampling. The size structure was poor shown by an average length of 6.2 inches and no fish exceeded 6.5 inches. Another important prey species, tullibee, were sampled at a historically low rate. Previous assessments indicate a consistently decreasing catch rate. The two fish sampled averaged about nine inches.

Other species sampled include black, brown, and yellow bullhead, bowfin, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, and white sucker. The origin of the one 23 inch walleye sampled is unclear. Walleye stocking was discontinued in 1988 due to the lack of returns. Walleye were last sampled in the 1985 assessment.

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