Becker County, Minnesota

Shell Lake

Best fishing times today, in local lake time.

Today

Good day

Next major bite

4:40–6:40 PM CT

Major bite (moon overhead): 4:08–6:08 AM
Minor bite (moonset): 1:09–2:09 PM
Major bite (moon underfoot): 4:40–6:40 PM
Minor bite (moonrise): 9:15–10:15 PM

Sunrise: 8:01 AM
Sunset: 6:08 PM
Moon: Waning gibbous, 74%

Times in Central Time. Updated 7:57 AM CT.

Conditions

Air: 33°F
Wind: 1 mph E
Sky: Mostly Cloudy
Pressure: 30.32 inHgSteady (+0.3 hPa in 3 h)

National Weather Service hourly forecast; pressure from station KPKD at 7:35 AM CT.

7-day bite calendar

Day	Major	Major	Minor	Minor	Moon
Today	4:08–6:08 AM	4:40–6:40 PM	1:09–2:09 PM	9:15–10:15 PM	Waning gibbous, 74%
Sat, Oct 31	5:10–7:10 AM	5:40–7:40 PM	1:52–2:52 PM	10:36–11:36 PM	Waning gibbous, 63%
Sun, Nov 1	5:08–7:08 AM	5:35–7:35 PM	1:23–2:23 PM	10:57–11:57 PM	Last quarter, 52%
Mon, Nov 2	6:00–8:00 AM	6:25–8:25 PM	1:47–2:47 PM	—	Waning crescent, 40%
Tue, Nov 3	6:49–8:49 AM	7:12–9:12 PM	12:15–1:15 AM	2:06–3:06 PM	Waning crescent, 30%
Wed, Nov 4	7:35–9:35 AM	7:57–9:57 PM	1:31–2:31 AM	2:24–3:24 PM	Waning crescent, 20%
Thu, Nov 5	8:19–10:19 AM	8:41–10:41 PM	2:44–3:44 AM	2:40–3:40 PM	Waning crescent, 13%

What's biting on Shell Lake in October

Shell Lake covers 3,147 acres and is 16 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 Shell Lake

Species found in Minnesota DNR fish surveys of Shell Lake in the last 10 years or its latest survey (May 10, 2023).

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.
PumpkinseedNests in colonies from May well into summer, often beside bluegill, and feeds heavily on snails.
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
Brown bullhead
Common carp
Green sunfish
Hybrid sunfish
White sucker
Yellow bullhead

Lake facts

Shoreline from Minnesota DNR survey maps, simplified.

Area: 3,147 acres
Max depth: 16 ft
County: Becker County
Nearest town: Snellman
DNR lake ID: 03010200

Source: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder (retrieved October 30, 2026).