Shell Lake
About Shell Lake
Shell Lake is a 3,147-acre lake near Snellman in Becker County, Minnesota. It reaches 16 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 10.3 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 3 among the 76 Becker County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.5 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 24, based on 11 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Shell Lake
- 3,147 acres, up to 16 feet deep, near Snellman
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 7.5 feet
- Swim beach on or beside the lake
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 3,147 acres
- Max depth
- 16 ft
- Shoreline
- 10.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 3,070 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Swim beach
- Camping (1 mapped)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Swimming and beach days
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 14
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 24
- Years of record
- 11
- Earliest
- March 30, 2021
- Latest
- May 9, 2013
- Most recent
- April 2, 2024
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
1 campground is mapped on or near Shell Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Shell Lake
Compare Shell Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Shell Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Shell Lake ranks among swimming lakes nearby.
See how Shell Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Shell Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Shell Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Shell Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Bass Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Snellman130 acres
3.1 miles away
Island Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Snellman1,179 acres
4.1 miles away
Sieverson Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Snellman82 acres
5.8 miles away
Toad Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Osage1,715 acres
5.9 miles away
Ice Cracking Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Ponsford345 acres
6.2 miles away
Round Lake
72 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Ponsford1,094 acres
7.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Shell Lake?
Shell Lake is in Becker County, Minnesota, near Snellman. It covers 3,147 acres and reaches 16 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Shell Lake?
Shell Lake covers 3,147 acres with about 10.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 16 feet.
What fish can you catch at Shell Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Shell Lake?
Yes. Shell Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Shell Lake?
Yes. A swim beach is mapped on or beside the lake. Most Minnesota beaches have no lifeguard, so swim at your own risk and check for beach advisories.
Is Shell Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Shell Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Shell Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 24, from 11 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 30, 2021 and the latest is May 9, 2013.
Can you camp at Shell Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.