Shell Lake Overview
Both walleye and smallmouth bass patrol the lake feeding on the vast schools of perch. Find fish cribs to the north and weedbeds to the south holding muskie, bass, walleye and panfish.
Fishing Regulations in Shell Lake
Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.
Special Waterbody Regulations
- Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
- Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted.
Special Species Regulations
- Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
- White perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
- Muskellunge and hybrids: May 25, 2024 to December 31, 2024: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1.
- Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
- Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
- Round goby: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
- Rough fish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Rock, yellow, and white bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Lake sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Cisco and whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Walleye, sauger, and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: No minimum length limit, but only 1 fish over 14” is allowed and the daily bag limit is 3.
- Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
- Northern pike: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
- Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
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Fish Species
Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.| Survey Year | Largest Fish (in) |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 50 |
Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Shell Lake Walleye abundance
Average range for similar lakes
Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
