French

Aitkin County, Minnesota — DOW #01010400

128 Surveys

Invasive Species Alert

French has confirmed populations of:

Eurasian watermilfoil

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

149.26

Acres

37 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard gill nets	1.0	—	0.15 lb	6
1989-08-21	Standard trap nets	8.9 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.07 lb	89
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	226.8	—	0.01 lb	378
1981-07-08	Standard trap nets	5.5 (below normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.28 lb	22
1981-07-08	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.25 lb	1
2016-07-20	Backpack electrofishing	38.9	—	—	32
2016-07-20	15-ft beach seine	20.6	—	—	144
2011-08-22	Standard gill nets	3.3	—	0.32 lb	26
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.49 lb	1
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	5.8 (below normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.13 lb	58
2004-08-30	Standard trap nets	8.6 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.12 lb	77
2004-08-30	Standard gill nets	1.0	—	0.10 lb	6
2020-08-03	Standard gill nets	2.3	—	0.15 lb	14

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	1.02 lb	17
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	6.0	—	0.51 lb	10
1989-08-21	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.0 – 10.5	1.37 lb	1
2011-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.80 lb	4
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.72 lb	4
2004-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.72 lb	5
2004-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.79 lb	5
2020-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.75 lb	2

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.6	4.96 lb	2
1989-08-21	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.30 lb	10
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	3.6	—	3.53 lb	6
2016-07-20	Backpack electrofishing	1.2	—	—	1
2011-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.6	1.28 lb	2
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.6	4.19 lb	1
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	3.13 lb	1
2004-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.37 lb	4
2004-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 0.6	4.54 lb	3
2020-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.6	5.36 lb	2

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	2.4	—	4

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard gill nets	6.7 (above normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.16 lb	40
1989-08-21	Standard trap nets	2.8 (normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.16 lb	28
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	16.8	—	0.04 lb	28
1981-07-08	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.40 lb	1
1981-07-08	Standard trap nets	3.3 (normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.33 lb	13
2016-07-20	15-ft beach seine	0.1	—	—	1
2011-08-22	Standard gill nets	3.8 (above normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.30 lb	30
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	7.1 (above normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.11 lb	57
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	8.5 (above normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.28 lb	85
2004-08-30	Standard gill nets	8.7 (above normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.20 lb	52
2004-08-30	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.36 lb	12
2020-08-03	Standard gill nets	4.2 (above normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.20 lb	25

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.8 – 7.7	1.42 lb	2

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	1.49 lb	7
1989-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.1	1.43 lb	3
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	0.6	—	1.54 lb	1
1981-07-08	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.89 lb	5
1981-07-08	Standard trap nets	1.5 (normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.92 lb	6
2011-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.5	1.07 lb	1
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.1	1.08 lb	1
2004-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.82 lb	1
2020-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.5	1.38 lb	1

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	14.4	—	0.17 lb	24
1989-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.07 lb	1
1981-07-08	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.33 lb	3
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.32 lb	1
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.49 lb	2

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	843.6	—	—	1406
1989-08-21	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.17 lb	5
1989-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.05 lb	1
1981-07-08	Standard trap nets	2.5 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.07 lb	10
1981-07-08	Standard gill nets	5.2 (normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.08 lb	31
2016-07-20	Backpack electrofishing	3.6	—	—	3
2011-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.06 lb	1
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.15 lb	7
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.6 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.10 lb	5
2004-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.09 lb	1
2004-08-30	Standard gill nets	1.3 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.14 lb	8

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	15.0	—	1.09 lb	25
1989-08-21	Standard gill nets	2.7 (below normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.68 lb	16
1989-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	0.95 lb	6
1981-07-08	Standard gill nets	7.2 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.59 lb	43
1981-07-08	Standard trap nets	1.8	—	0.96 lb	7
2016-07-20	15-ft beach seine	0.6	—	—	4
2011-08-22	Standard gill nets	3.0 (below normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.88 lb	24
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	4.1 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.92 lb	33
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	2.04 lb	8
2004-08-30	Standard gill nets	2.0 (below normal)	3.5 – 10.5	2.05 lb	12
2004-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	2.08 lb	3
2020-08-03	Standard gill nets	2.7 (below normal)	3.5 – 10.5	2.16 lb	16

Tadpole Madtom

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	3.0	—	0.01 lb	5

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	7.2	—	0.34 lb	12
2016-07-20	Backpack electrofishing	2.4	—	—	2
2016-07-20	15-ft beach seine	2.3	—	—	16
2011-08-22	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.88 lb	8
2020-08-03	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.41 lb	7

BST

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	1.2	—	2

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard gill nets	1.2 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.23 lb	7
1989-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.7	1.66 lb	2
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	3.0	—	0.19 lb	5
1981-07-08	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.50 lb	4
1981-07-08	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.7	1.50 lb	1
2011-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.0	2.49 lb	6
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	1.3 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.0	2.37 lb	10
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.7	0.90 lb	1
2004-08-30	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	3.15 lb	9
2020-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.82 lb	1

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.4	4.13 lb	1
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	6.0	—	1.92 lb	10
1989-08-21	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	1.93 lb	4
1981-07-08	Standard gill nets	2.2 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	1.71 lb	13
2011-08-22	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.47 lb	8
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.40 lb	3
2004-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.04 lb	5
2020-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.18 lb	4

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.9 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.06 lb	9
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	5.4	—	0.05 lb	9
1981-07-08	Standard trap nets	3.3 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.27 lb	13
2016-07-20	Backpack electrofishing	1.2	—	—	1
2016-07-20	15-ft beach seine	0.7	—	—	5
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.18 lb	2
2004-08-30	Standard trap nets	1.3 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.10 lb	12

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.09 lb	1

OTM

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	173.4	—	289

CNM

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	0.6	—	1
2016-07-20	15-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1
2016-07-20	Backpack electrofishing	1.2	—	1

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1989-08-21	Standard electrofishing	66.6	—	111

BCS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2016-07-20	Backpack electrofishing	2.4	—	2

Common Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2016-07-20	Backpack electrofishing	8.5	—	7
2016-07-20	15-ft beach seine	2.6	—	18

Bluntnose Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2016-07-20	Backpack electrofishing	75.3	—	62
2016-07-20	15-ft beach seine	3.3	—	23

Shorthead Redhorse

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1999-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.8	1.60 lb	1
2004-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.8	2.07 lb	1

BIB

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1999-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 5.3	18.17 lb	2

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

3K StorageMN on Lake Minnewawa

McGregor, MN

(218) 429-2108

★ 5

Aitkin Rental

Aitkin, MN

(218) 927-6907

★ 4.5

Farm Island Repair and Marine

Aitkin, MN

(218) 927-6395

★ 4.7

FLOE International

McGregor, MN

(800) 336-6337

★ 4.8

Horseshoelakestorage.net

McGregor, MN

(218) 670-0063

★ 5

Libby Marine

McGregor, MN

(218) 994-9245

Resorts & Lodges Near French

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near French.

Big Sandy Lake Cabin Rental

Fishing Resort McGregor

(612) 735-9455

McGregor Cabin Rentals

Fishing Resort McGregor

(218) 839-7545

Loaf N Leisure Resort and RV Park

Fishing Resort Aitkin

(218) 234-2882

Ole's Resort

Fishing Resort McGregor

(218) 426-3487

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

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

Black Bullhead Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Brown Bullhead Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Walleye White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near French

Mille Lacs Lake Fishing Guide

Fishing Guide

(651) 271-8600

Mille Lacs Lake Guiding

Fishing Guide

(763) 238-7507

North Mille Lacs Ice Fishing

Fishing Guide

(218) 670-5012

Other Lakes in Aitkin County

Plan Your Trip to French

Weather forecast for French — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 46.6252°N, 93.5447°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.

French

Invasive Species Alert

DNR Fish Surveys

Bluegill

Yellow Bullhead

Bowfin

Johnny Darter

Black Crappie

Black Bullhead

Brown Bullhead

Rock Bass

Yellow Perch

Northern Pike

Tadpole Madtom

Largemouth Bass

BST

Walleye

White Sucker

Pumpkinseed

Hybrid Sunfish

OTM

CNM

Golden Shiner

BCS

Common Shiner

Bluntnose Minnow

Shorthead Redhorse

BIB

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Aitkin Backwoods Farm Supply LLC

Bill's Sportsmans Service

Farm Island Store

Farm Island Store & Off Sale

Glen Store

McGregor Oil

Sather's Gateway Store

Sue’s Bait shop

Nearby Marinas

3K StorageMN on Lake Minnewawa

Aitkin Rental

Farm Island Repair and Marine

FLOE International

Horseshoelakestorage.net

Libby Marine

Resorts & Lodges Near French

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near French

Other Lakes in Aitkin County

Aitkin

Anderson

Bachelor

Ball Bluff

Bass

Bay

Plan Your Trip to French