---
type: lake
name: "Shell Lake"
county: "Becker"
nearest_town: "Snellman"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 3147
max_depth_ft: 16
latitude: 46.94529
longitude: -95.44852
lake_score: 73
dnr_lake_id: "03010200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/shell-lake
---

# Shell Lake

Lake in Becker County, Minnesota, near Snellman

- **Surface Area**: 3,147 acres
- **Max Depth**: 16 ft
- **Shoreline**: 10.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 7.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 73/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 14
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 24
- **Years of record**: 11
- **Earliest**: 2021-03-30
- **Latest**: 2013-05-09

## Nearby Lakes

- [Bass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/bass-lake-snellman) - 3.1 miles, 130 acres
- [Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/island-lake) - 4.1 miles, 1,179 acres
- [Sieverson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/sieverson-lake) - 5.8 miles, 82 acres
- [Toad Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/toad-lake) - 5.9 miles, 1,715 acres
- [Ice Cracking Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/ice-cracking-lake) - 6.2 miles, 345 acres
- [Round Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/round-lake) - 7.7 miles, 1,094 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.94529,-95.44852)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=03010200)
- [All lakes in Becker County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/shell-lake)*