Becker Lake

How big is Becker Lake?

How deep is Becker Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Becker Lake?

What are the closest cities to Becker Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Becker Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Becker Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Becker Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Becker Lake?

Becker Lake is a 176-acre lake located near Richmond in Stearns County. It is part of the Sauk River Chain of Lakes (SRCL), formed by a dam in Cold Spring. Most of the lake is shallow and it has a maximum depth of 20 feet. The lake has a history of winterkill, and an aeration (bubbler type) system was installed in 1989 and effectively eliminated winterkill; however, the system was removed in 2010. The watershed is large and primary land uses are agriculture and pasture. The lake is not directly connected to the Sauk River and has better water quality and a more diverse aquatic plant community than most lakes within the chain. A public access is located on the Sauk River just east of Becker Lake. A targeted survey using only gill nets was conducted in 2021 to update fisheries data last collected in 2018.

Anglers can expect good fishing for Northern Pike, Catfish, Walleye, and panfish.
Northern Pike numbers have greatly decreased since 2018, but are still plentiful. The pike sampled ranged in lengths from 16 to 31 inches with an average length and weight of 21 inches and 2 pounds. Of the 16 fish sampled, only one was longer than 26 inches. Anglers are encouraged to harvest small pike (<22 inches) and release the medium-sized pike (>26 inches) to help increase the size structure of the population.

Walleye numbers in 2021 were significantly higher than 2018 and were the highest on record for Becker Lake. Walleye numbers were also high compared to other lakes within the Sauk River Chain as well. Walleyes are not stocked in Becker Lake but can easily swim in from nearby Horseshoe Lake and the Sauk River. Walleye sampled ranged in length from 13 to 24 inches with an average length and weight of 16 inches and 1.5 pounds.

Black Crappie are not abundant in Becker Lake and historical catches have been low as well. Only one Black Crappie was caught in 2021. No Bluegill were caught in the gill nets in 2021, but trap net data from 2018 showed an abundant Bluegill population with an average length of 6 inches with a few fish up to 8 inches.

Yellow Perch catches have been low the past four surveys and none were caught in 2021. High numbers of Northern Pike and Walleye have likely reduced Yellow Perch abundance over time.

Channel Catfish are abundant in Becker Lake as well as in the rest of the chain of lakes; however, the average size is exceptional. Channel catfish lengths ranged from 20 to 29 inches with an average length and weight of 24 inches and 5 pounds.

Other species sampled included: Black Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, and White Sucker.

People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Fish harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of aquatic invasive species (AIS) can all adversely affect fish populations. In 2018, zebra mussels were identified in the Sauk River Chain of Lakes and in 2021 Eurasian water milfoil was identified in Horseshoe Lake. AIS can be moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local DNR office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Sauk Rapids Area Fisheries office.

What is the average air temp for Becker Lake?