Belle Lake
About Belle Lake
Belle Lake is an 864-acre lake near Hutchinson in Meeker County, Minnesota. It reaches 25 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 16 feet, and has roughly 5.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 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 2025.
There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and county. Piepenburg County Park is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 7, based on 10 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Belle Lake
- 864 acres, up to 25 feet deep, near Hutchinson
- 2 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR and county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 5.8 feet
- Camping close to the water at Piepenburg County Park
- Listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR, county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 864 acres
- Max depth
- 25 ft
- Average depth
- 16 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 5.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 383 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
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping: Piepenburg County Park
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 16
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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 7
- Years of record
- 10
- Earliest
- March 27, 2021
- Latest
- May 1, 2018
- Most recent
- March 31, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Piepenburg County Park is mapped on or near Belle 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 Belle Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Stahl's Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreMcLeod · Hutchinson141 acres
1.7 miles away
Cedar Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreMcLeod · Cedar Mills1,860 acres
1.7 miles away
Erie Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreMeeker · Darwin190 acres
2.1 miles away
Greenleaf Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreMeeker · Litchfield238 acres
3.1 miles away
Willie Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreMeeker · Litchfield192 acres
3.9 miles away
Todd Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreMcLeod · Jennie214 acres
3.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Belle Lake?
Belle Lake is in Meeker County, Minnesota, near Hutchinson. It covers 864 acres and reaches 25 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Belle Lake?
Belle Lake covers 864 acres with about 5.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 25 feet and its average depth is about 16 feet.
What fish can you catch at Belle 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 Belle Lake?
Yes. Belle Lake has 2 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR and county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Belle Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Belle Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Belle Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Belle Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Belle Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 7, from 10 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 27, 2021 and the latest is May 1, 2018.
Can you camp at Belle Lake?
Yes. Piepenburg County Park is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Belle Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Belle Lake as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.