Francis

Meeker County, Minnesota — DOW #47000200

202 Surveys

Invasive Species Alert

Francis has confirmed populations of:

zebra mussel

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

1,053.22

Acres

17 ft

Max Depth

8.5 ft

Mean Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Francis. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-07-05	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	1.33 lb	18
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	0.86 lb	8
2010-07-12	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	0.85 lb	8
2010-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 1.4	0.82 lb	2
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	5.6 (above normal)	0.4 – 2.0	0.82 lb	45
1984-07-19	Standard trap nets	4.4 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.4	0.62 lb	35
1984-07-19	Standard gill nets	21.7 (above normal)	0.4 – 2.0	0.68 lb	130
1989-07-11	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	0.94 lb	7
2015-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.4	0.60 lb	1
2015-07-06	Standard gill nets	1.6 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	1.53 lb	14

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-07-05	Standard gill nets	12.2 (above normal)	1.5 – 7.3	1.22 lb	146
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	10.4 (above normal)	1.5 – 7.3	1.51 lb	94
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	1.54 lb	7
2010-07-12	Standard gill nets	15.4 (above normal)	1.5 – 7.3	0.98 lb	170
2010-07-12	Standard trap nets	2.3	—	0.85 lb	21
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	8.3 (above normal)	1.5 – 7.3	1.45 lb	66
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	1.2	—	0.60 lb	14
2021-03-29	Special trap nets	7.0	—	0.90 lb	167
1984-07-19	Standard gill nets	17.7 (above normal)	1.5 – 7.3	1.35 lb	106
1984-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.9	—	1.09 lb	7
1989-07-11	Standard gill nets	30.3 (above normal)	1.5 – 7.3	1.37 lb	121
1989-07-11	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	1.10 lb	3
2015-07-06	Standard gill nets	15.2 (above normal)	1.5 – 7.3	0.85 lb	137
2015-07-06	Standard trap nets	1.8	—	0.86 lb	20
1978-07-11	Standard gill nets	12.5 (above normal)	1.5 – 7.3	1.40 lb	25
1978-07-11	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	0.25 lb	4

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-07-05	Standard gill nets	1.6 (below normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.31 lb	19
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.22 lb	9
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	1.7 (below normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.25 lb	15
2010-07-12	Standard gill nets	4.0 (normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.21 lb	44
2010-07-12	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.28 lb	18
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	4.1 (normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.20 lb	33
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.55 lb	4
2021-05-12	Special trap nets	0.5	—	0.22 lb	8
1984-07-19	Standard gill nets	1.5 (below normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.28 lb	9
1984-07-19	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.27 lb	16
1989-07-11	Standard gill nets	5.0 (normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.33 lb	20
1989-07-11	Standard trap nets	5.1 (normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.05 lb	41
2015-07-06	Standard gill nets	1.7 (below normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.24 lb	15
2015-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.7 (below normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.33 lb	8
1978-07-11	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.21 lb	6
1978-07-11	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.29 lb	12

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-07-05	Standard gill nets	0.9 (below normal)	1.2 – 6.3	2.89 lb	11
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	2.6 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	3.52 lb	23
2010-07-12	Standard gill nets	3.4 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	2.23 lb	37
2010-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.2	6.83 lb	1
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.2 – 6.3	3.35 lb	6
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.2	3.00 lb	1
2021-03-29	Special trap nets	1.7	—	3.29 lb	40
1984-07-19	Standard gill nets	4.0 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	1.77 lb	24
1984-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.2	3.92 lb	4
1989-07-11	Standard gill nets	4.8 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	3.13 lb	19
2015-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.6 (below normal)	1.2 – 6.3	2.46 lb	5
2015-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.2	3.26 lb	2
1978-07-11	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	0.70 lb	5
1978-07-11	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.2	1.17 lb	3

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-07-05	Standard gill nets	9.0	—	0.19 lb	108
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	3.2	—	0.36 lb	29
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	5.3 (above normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.12 lb	48
2010-07-12	Standard gill nets	4.8	—	0.11 lb	53
2010-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	1.5	—	—	2
2010-07-12	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.12 lb	15
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	13.9	—	0.14 lb	111
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	9.0 (above normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.16 lb	108
2021-05-12	Special trap nets	5.5	—	0.29 lb	82
1984-07-19	Standard gill nets	6.2	—	0.15 lb	37
1984-07-19	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.15 lb	11
1989-07-11	Standard gill nets	13.5	—	0.19 lb	54
1989-07-11	Standard trap nets	7.5 (above normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.07 lb	60
2015-07-06	Standard gill nets	7.6	—	0.13 lb	68
2015-07-06	Standard trap nets	1.6 (normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.18 lb	17
1978-07-11	Standard trap nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.08 lb	3

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-07-05	Standard gill nets	24.5 (above normal)	0.5 – 7.5	0.70 lb	294
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	56.6 (above normal)	0.5 – 7.5	0.58 lb	509
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	4.1 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	0.62 lb	37
2010-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	2.3	—	—	3
2010-07-12	Standard trap nets	3.9 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	0.62 lb	35
2010-07-12	Standard gill nets	17.2 (above normal)	0.5 – 7.5	0.67 lb	189
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	19.4 (above normal)	0.5 – 7.5	0.58 lb	155
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	8.3 (above normal)	0.9 – 5.7	0.60 lb	100
1984-07-19	Standard gill nets	5.3 (normal)	0.5 – 7.5	0.55 lb	32
1984-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.9 (below normal)	0.9 – 5.7	0.41 lb	7
1989-07-11	Standard gill nets	33.5 (above normal)	0.5 – 7.5	0.51 lb	134
1989-07-11	Standard trap nets	2.5 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	0.59 lb	20
2015-07-06	Standard gill nets	29.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 7.5	0.74 lb	261
2015-07-06	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	0.63 lb	19

Green Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-07-05	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.5	0.11 lb	1
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	1.3 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.3	0.10 lb	12
2010-07-12	15-ft beach seine	0.1	—	—	1
2010-07-12	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.5	0.06 lb	1
2010-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	5.3	—	—	7
2010-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 1.3	0.02 lb	2
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	3.7 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.3	0.32 lb	44
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.5	0.10 lb	1
2021-05-12	Special trap nets	0.1	—	0.10 lb	1
1989-07-11	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.3	0.07 lb	2

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-07-05	Standard gill nets	3.4	—	0.26 lb	41
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.20 lb	1
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	3.9	—	0.24 lb	35
2010-07-12	Standard gill nets	2.0	—	0.19 lb	22
2010-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	6.1	—	—	8
2010-07-12	Standard trap nets	2.3	—	0.22 lb	21
2021-05-12	Special trap nets	5.4	—	0.41 lb	81
1984-07-19	Standard trap nets	1.1	—	0.27 lb	9
1989-07-11	Standard gill nets	3.3	—	0.21 lb	13
1989-07-11	Standard trap nets	8.6	—	0.13 lb	69
2015-07-06	Standard gill nets	1.9	—	0.39 lb	17
2015-07-06	Standard trap nets	2.7	—	0.35 lb	30

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-07-05	Standard gill nets	4.4	—	0.18 lb	53
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	3.3	—	0.24 lb	30
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	55.1 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.10 lb	496
2010-07-12	Standard gill nets	2.7	—	0.07 lb	30
2010-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	1.5	—	—	2
2010-07-12	Standard trap nets	19.0 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.11 lb	171
2010-07-12	50-ft beach seine	4.7	—	—	14
2010-07-12	15-ft beach seine	4.4	—	—	35
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	15.8	—	0.10 lb	126
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	59.7 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.12 lb	716
2021-05-12	Special trap nets	26.3	—	0.24 lb	394
1984-07-19	Standard gill nets	2.5	—	0.09 lb	15
1984-07-19	Standard trap nets	15.5 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.11 lb	124
1989-07-11	Standard gill nets	5.0	—	0.07 lb	20
1989-07-11	Standard trap nets	42.0 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.07 lb	336
2015-07-06	Standard gill nets	3.6	—	0.15 lb	32
2015-07-06	Standard trap nets	11.4 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.09 lb	125
1978-07-11	Standard trap nets	66.0 (above normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.12 lb	396
1978-07-11	Standard gill nets	19.0	—	0.17 lb	38

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-07-05	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	3.54 lb	6
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.56 lb	5
2010-07-12	Standard gill nets	0.8 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.8	3.35 lb	9
2010-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.91 lb	2
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	2.50 lb	3
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	3.50 lb	5
1984-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.8	0.60 lb	1
1984-07-19	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	2.77 lb	8
1989-07-11	Standard trap nets	1.6 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.3	3.81 lb	13
2015-07-06	Standard gill nets	1.8 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.8	3.15 lb	16
2015-07-06	Standard trap nets	1.2 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	3.34 lb	13
1978-07-11	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	2.00 lb	6

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-07-05	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.07 lb	1
2010-07-12	50-ft beach seine	41.7	—	—	125
2010-07-12	15-ft beach seine	7.3	—	—	58
2010-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	0.8	—	—	1
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.10 lb	4

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-07-05	Standard gill nets	3.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.8	1.17 lb	45
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	1.4 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.8	1.28 lb	13
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.12 lb	4
2010-07-12	50-ft beach seine	70.0	—	—	210
2010-07-12	Standard electrofishing	25.0	—	0.87 lb	50
2010-07-12	15-ft beach seine	22.4	—	—	179
2010-07-12	Standard gill nets	3.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.8	1.17 lb	42
2010-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	6.1	—	—	8
2010-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	1.81 lb	3
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	1.1 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.8	1.89 lb	9
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.10 lb	3
2021-05-12	Special electrofishing	100.0	—	1.26 lb	150
1984-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 0.8	1.23 lb	3
1989-07-11	Standard gill nets	1.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.8	1.32 lb	5
1989-07-11	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.30 lb	1
2015-07-06	Standard electrofishing	30.5	—	1.13 lb	61
2015-07-06	Standard gill nets	6.1 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.8	1.18 lb	55
2015-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.7 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.7	1.21 lb	8
1978-07-11	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.33 lb	3
1978-07-11	Standard gill nets	4.0 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.8	0.72 lb	8

Common Carp

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.0	1.55 lb	2
1992-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	4.47 lb	4
2010-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	9.38 lb	6
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.0	0.20 lb	1
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	7.30 lb	5
1984-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.0	1.82 lb	3
1989-07-11	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 3.0	4.88 lb	4
1978-07-11	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	—	6

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1992-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	2.5 – 45.0	0.86 lb	7
1980-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.7 – 25.7	0.40 lb	5
1980-08-26	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	2.5 – 45.0	0.75 lb	2
1984-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.7 – 25.7	0.85 lb	2
1989-07-11	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.7 – 25.7	0.80 lb	1
1989-07-11	Standard gill nets	3.3 (normal)	2.5 – 45.0	0.67 lb	13
2015-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.7 – 25.7	1.00 lb	2
2015-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.4 (below normal)	2.5 – 45.0	1.20 lb	4
1978-07-11	Standard gill nets	18.5 (normal)	2.5 – 45.0	0.61 lb	37
1978-07-11	Standard trap nets	9.2 (normal)	0.7 – 25.7	0.32 lb	55

Spottail Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	0.8	—	1
2010-07-12	50-ft beach seine	5.0	—	15
2010-07-12	15-ft beach seine	0.3	—	2

LED

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-12	15-ft beach seine	0.5	—	4
2010-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	1.5	—	2

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-12	15-ft beach seine	8.8	—	70
2010-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	0.8	—	1
2010-07-12	50-ft beach seine	8.7	—	26

Bluntnose Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-12	15-ft beach seine	29.4	—	235
2010-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	19.7	—	26
2010-07-12	50-ft beach seine	302.3	—	907

SHI

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-12	15-ft beach seine	0.3	—	2
2010-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	6.8	—	9

BKF

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-12	15-ft beach seine	8.4	—	67
2010-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	4.5	—	6
2010-07-12	50-ft beach seine	6.3	—	19

Fathead Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-12	50-ft beach seine	0.3	—	1

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	28.8	—	38

Tadpole Madtom

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-12	Backpack electrofishing	1.5	—	2

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-07-11	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.2	2.20 lb	1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

Dassel - Cokato Marine

Dassel, MN

(651) 226-6026

★ 5

EZ Dock & Lift LLC

Dassel, MN

(320) 296-2623

★ 3.4

Legion Memorial Park

Litchfield, MN

(320) 693-7201

★ 4.7

Porta-Dock Inc

Dassel, MN

(800) 783-7070

★ 4.5

A-1 Marine, Inc.

Annandale, MN

(320) 274-8227

★ 4.4

An Extra Space, LLC

Buffalo, MN

(763) 684-1969

★ 5

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Francis. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Bullhead Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Brown Bullhead Common Carp Green Sunfish Hybrid Sunfish Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Walleye Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Other Lakes in Meeker County

Plan Your Trip to Francis

Weather forecast for Francis — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 45.2211°N, 94.2607°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.

Francis

Invasive Species Alert

DNR Fish Surveys

Brown Bullhead

Northern Pike

Black Crappie

Walleye

Pumpkinseed

Yellow Bullhead

Green Sunfish

Hybrid Sunfish

Bluegill

Bowfin

Yellow Perch

Largemouth Bass

Common Carp

Black Bullhead

Spottail Shiner

LED

BNS

Bluntnose Minnow

SHI

BKF

Fathead Minnow

Iowa Darter

Tadpole Madtom

White Sucker

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Cedar Mills Outfitters

Litchfield Outpost

The Bait Stop LLC

Albion Acres Bait

All Seasons Sports

Captain Jack Lures

Cenex

Clear Waters Outfitting Company

Nearby Marinas

Dassel - Cokato Marine

EZ Dock & Lift LLC

Legion Memorial Park

Porta-Dock Inc

A-1 Marine, Inc.

An Extra Space, LLC

Fish Species

Other Lakes in Meeker County

Arvilla

Betty

Big Swan

Clear

Dunns

Erie

Plan Your Trip to Francis