Lincoln County, Minnesota
Lake Benton
Best fishing times today, in local lake time.
Today
Good day
Next major bite
4:43–6:43 PM CT- Major bite (moon overhead): 4:11–6:11 AM
- Minor bite (moonset): 12:59–1:59 PM
- Major bite (moon underfoot): 4:43–6:43 PM
- Minor bite (moonrise): 9:31–10:31 PM
- Sunrise
- 7:59 AM
- Sunset
- 6:16 PM
- Moon
- Waning gibbous, 74%
Times in Central Time. Updated 7:57 AM CT.
Conditions
- Air
- 35°F
- Wind
- 5 mph ESE
- Sky
- Mostly Sunny
- Pressure
- 30.25 inHgSteady (-0.3 hPa in 3 h)
National Weather Service hourly forecast; pressure from station KPQN at 6:55 AM CT.
7-day bite calendar
| Day | Rating | Major | Major | Minor | Minor | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 4:11–6:11 AM | 4:43–6:43 PM | 12:59–1:59 PM | 9:31–10:31 PM | Waning gibbous, 74% | |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 5:13–7:13 AM | 5:43–7:43 PM | 1:44–2:44 PM | 10:49–11:49 PM | Waning gibbous, 63% | |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 5:11–7:11 AM | 5:38–7:38 PM | 1:18–2:18 PM | 11:08 PM–12:08 AM | Last quarter, 52% | |
| Mon, Nov 2 | 6:04–8:04 AM | 6:28–8:28 PM | 1:44–2:44 PM | — | Waning crescent, 40% | |
| Tue, Nov 3 | 6:52–8:52 AM | 7:15–9:15 PM | 12:23–1:23 AM | 2:06–3:06 PM | Waning crescent, 30% | |
| Wed, Nov 4 | 7:38–9:38 AM | 8:00–10:00 PM | 1:36–2:36 AM | 2:26–3:26 PM | Waning crescent, 20% | |
| Thu, Nov 5 | 8:22–10:22 AM | 8:44–10:44 PM | 2:46–3:46 AM | 2:45–3:45 PM | Waning crescent, 13% |
What's biting on Lake Benton in October
Lake Benton covers 2,699 acres and is 9 ft at its deepest, so it has no deep, cool water to hold fish in summer. These are the sport fish DNR surveys found here, and what each typically does in October in Minnesota lakes.
- WalleyeFall walleye feed heavily on rocky points and breaklines; dusk and after dark are often best.
- Northern pikeFall pike feed heavily along the last green weeds and drop-offs.
- Largemouth bassBass gather near the remaining green weeds and drop-offs and feed before winter.
- CrappieFall crappies school tightly in deeper basins and feed actively.
- BluegillFall bluegill move toward deeper weed edges and feed actively.
- Yellow perchFall perch school on deep flats and feed heavily.
Season notes: Minnesota statewide inland seasons from the DNR's 2026–27 fishing regulations. Check current regulations.
Fish in Lake Benton
Species found in Minnesota DNR fish surveys of Lake Benton in the last 10 years or its latest survey (October 23, 2025).
- WalleyeSpawns over gravel and rock in the shallows soon after ice-out, peaking in 42–50°F water; in summer it holds deeper and feeds in the shallows at dawn and dusk.
- Northern pikeSpawns in flooded, weedy shallows right after ice-out and keeps feeding in cold water, so it bites from spring through ice season.
- Largemouth bassNests in shallow, firm-bottomed bays in late spring and spends summer in and along the weedbeds.
- Black crappieSpawns in May and June in shallow water in the mid-60s °F; schools roam open water and feed most at night, dawn and dusk.
- BluegillNests in colonies in firm-bottomed shallows from late May through much of summer, in 67–80°F water; bigger fish feed in open water.
- Yellow perchSpawns in early spring, draping egg ribbons over weeds and brush, and bites eagerly on worms all year, including through the ice.
Also found
- Black bullhead
- Common carp
- Green sunfish
- Orangespotted sunfish
- White sucker
Lake facts
- Area
- 2,699 acres
- Max depth
- 9 ft
- County
- Lincoln County
- Nearest town
- Lake Benton
- DNR lake ID
- 41004300
Source: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder (retrieved October 30, 2026).
Nearby lakes
- Lake Shetek29 mi · Murray County
- Lac qui Parle57 mi · Lac Qui Parle County
- Lake Ocheda59 mi · Nobles County
- South Heron Lake63 mi · Jackson County
- Artichoke Lake73 mi · Big Stone County
- Big Stone Lake79 mi · Big Stone County