Shell Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

03010200

County

Becker

Surface area

3,147 acres

Maximum depth

16 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

3,070 acres, 98% of the lake

Shoreline

10.3 miles

Average water clarity

7.5 feet (Secchi disk, 3 readings)

Nearest town (DNR)

Snellman

Latest DNR fish survey

May 2023, targeted survey

Surveys on record

12, since 1971

Game fish caught in the 2023 survey

northern pike 49, yellow perch 2

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, sunfish, walleye, yellow perch, and 16 other species

Stocked in 2025

walleye fry (3,116,640)

Stocked in 2023

black crappie adults (14); bluegill sunfish adults (320); largemouth bass adults (6); walleye fry (3,101,220)

Stocked in 2022

walleye fry (1,105,335)

Stocking years on record

7 of the last 10 (2017 to 2025)

Shell Lake Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 10 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Fish consumption

Follow the statewide guidelines; fish from this lake have been tested

Size

2,000 acres or more

Deepest point

15 to 29 feet

Public access

Yes

Stocked in the last 3 years

Yes

Sources

• Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites
  Checked September 24, 2026

Survey catches show what DNR nets and electrofishing found on the survey date, not how the fishing is today. Check the current regulations and the Department of Health advice before you keep fish, and confirm access conditions before you tow a boat.