Minnesota Fishing Guide

French

McLeod County, Minnesota — DOW #43010900

157 Surveys
42.42
Acres
23 ft
Max Depth
0
13
Fish Species
0
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.

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1973-06-15 Standard gill nets 1.0 (below normal) 2.5 – 7.9 1.50 lb 1
1973-06-15 Standard trap nets 0.8 — 0.93 lb 3
2018-07-09 Standard gill nets 11.5 (above normal) 2.5 – 7.9 1.96 lb 46
2018-07-09 Standard trap nets 0.7 — 1.68 lb 6
1993-07-06 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 4.27 lb 2
1979-07-17 Standard gill nets 14.5 (above normal) 2.5 – 7.9 0.80 lb 29
1979-07-17 Standard trap nets 3.0 — 0.85 lb 15
1985-07-30 Standard gill nets 7.5 (normal) 2.5 – 7.9 1.60 lb 30
1985-07-30 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 1.50 lb 1
1998-07-06 Standard gill nets 9.3 (above normal) 2.5 – 7.9 1.32 lb 37
1998-07-06 Standard trap nets 1.0 — 1.71 lb 9
1981-06-18 Standard trap nets 2.2 — 1.25 lb 13
2008-07-07 Standard gill nets 4.5 (normal) 2.5 – 7.9 1.84 lb 18
2008-07-07 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 2.13 lb 3
2008-07-07 1/4-in trap nets 0.5 — — 2
1990-07-30 Standard gill nets 5.8 (normal) 2.5 – 7.9 1.63 lb 23
1990-07-30 Standard trap nets 1.3 — 1.86 lb 5

Bowfin

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1973-06-15 Standard trap nets 1.3 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.0 1.94 lb 5
2018-07-09 Standard gill nets 3.5 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.5 3.14 lb 14
2018-07-09 Standard trap nets 1.3 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.0 2.78 lb 12
1993-07-06 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.3 – 1.0 3.14 lb 8
1985-07-30 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.0 1.30 lb 1
1985-07-30 Standard gill nets 1.8 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.5 2.41 lb 7
1998-07-06 Standard gill nets 2.8 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.5 3.93 lb 11
1998-07-06 Standard trap nets 1.4 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.0 2.62 lb 13
1981-06-18 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.0 4.27 lb 3
2008-07-07 Standard gill nets 2.3 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.5 3.17 lb 9
2008-07-07 Standard trap nets 1.9 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.0 2.91 lb 17
1990-07-30 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.5 2.95 lb 2

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1973-06-15 Standard trap nets 3.0 (below normal) 6.5 – 59.6 0.22 lb 12
2018-07-09 Standard gill nets 7.5 — 0.07 lb 30
2018-07-09 Standard trap nets 18.1 (normal) 6.5 – 59.6 0.10 lb 163
1993-07-06 Special trap nets 9.3 — — 37
1993-07-06 Standard trap nets 39.6 (normal) 6.5 – 59.6 0.08 lb 356
1979-07-17 Standard trap nets 15.2 (normal) 6.5 – 59.6 0.47 lb 76
1985-07-30 Standard trap nets 58.8 (normal) 6.5 – 59.6 0.13 lb 235
1985-07-30 Standard gill nets 3.3 — 0.20 lb 13
1998-07-06 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.15 lb 1
1998-07-06 Special trap nets 18.8 — — 75
1998-07-06 Standard trap nets 35.9 (normal) 6.5 – 59.6 0.11 lb 323
1981-06-18 Standard trap nets 6.8 (normal) 6.5 – 59.6 0.45 lb 41
2008-07-07 1/4-in trap nets 10.5 — — 42
2008-07-07 Standard gill nets 10.5 — 0.06 lb 42
2008-07-07 Standard trap nets 63.6 (above normal) 6.5 – 59.6 0.04 lb 572
1990-07-30 Standard trap nets 92.0 (above normal) 6.5 – 59.6 0.15 lb 368
1990-07-30 Standard gill nets 3.0 — 0.23 lb 12

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1973-06-15 Standard trap nets 1.8 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.5 0.20 lb 7
1973-06-15 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 1.5 – 12.8 0.10 lb 2
2018-07-09 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.5 – 12.8 0.08 lb 1
1993-07-06 Special trap nets 0.8 — — 3
1993-07-06 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.5 0.21 lb 1
1985-07-30 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 1.5 0.22 lb 3
1985-07-30 Standard gill nets 6.3 (normal) 1.5 – 12.8 0.10 lb 25
1998-07-06 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 1.5 0.08 lb 5
1998-07-06 Standard gill nets 6.0 (normal) 1.5 – 12.8 0.09 lb 24
1998-07-06 Special trap nets 0.8 — — 3
2008-07-07 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 1.5 – 12.8 0.06 lb 6
1990-07-30 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.5 0.20 lb 1

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1973-06-15 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.8 0.10 lb 1
2018-07-09 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 1.1 1.26 lb 3
2018-07-09 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.8 1.54 lb 1
1993-07-06 Special trap nets 3.5 — — 14
1979-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.8 0.01 lb 1
1985-07-30 Standard gill nets 1.3 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.1 0.78 lb 5
1998-07-06 Special trap nets 7.8 — — 31
1981-06-18 Standard trap nets 0.8 (above normal) 0.3 – 0.8 0.54 lb 5
2008-07-07 1/4-in trap nets 5.3 — — 21
2008-07-07 Standard electrofishing 13.5 — 2.18 lb 8
2008-07-07 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.1 0.49 lb 1
2008-07-07 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.8 4.48 lb 2
1990-07-30 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.8 2.80 lb 1

White Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1973-06-15 Standard trap nets 3.5 (normal) 0.4 – 4.6 0.25 lb 14

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1973-06-15 Standard trap nets 6.5 (above normal) 0.5 – 5.4 0.34 lb 26
2018-07-09 Standard trap nets 1.2 (normal) 0.5 – 5.4 1.05 lb 11
2018-07-09 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.7 – 6.2 1.57 lb 1
2008-07-07 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.5 – 5.4 0.65 lb 5
2008-07-07 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.7 – 6.2 0.61 lb 2

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1973-06-15 Standard trap nets 4.3 (normal) 1.8 – 18.1 0.22 lb 17
2018-07-09 Standard gill nets 2.8 (normal) 1.9 – 18.0 0.13 lb 11
2018-07-09 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 1.8 – 18.1 0.11 lb 1
1993-07-06 Special trap nets 0.5 — — 2
1993-07-06 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.8 – 18.1 0.21 lb 3
1985-07-30 Standard gill nets 6.3 (normal) 1.9 – 18.0 0.11 lb 25
1985-07-30 Standard trap nets 1.8 (below normal) 1.8 – 18.1 0.31 lb 7
1998-07-06 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.9 – 18.0 — 2
1998-07-06 Special trap nets 2.3 — — 9
1998-07-06 Standard trap nets 3.4 (normal) 1.8 – 18.1 0.30 lb 31
1981-06-18 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.8 – 18.1 0.45 lb 2
2008-07-07 1/4-in trap nets 1.8 — — 7
2008-07-07 Standard gill nets 8.8 (normal) 1.9 – 18.0 0.10 lb 35
2008-07-07 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 1.8 – 18.1 0.21 lb 2
1990-07-30 Standard gill nets 0.8 (below normal) 1.9 – 18.0 0.17 lb 3
1990-07-30 Standard trap nets 4.0 (normal) 1.8 – 18.1 0.33 lb 16

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1973-06-15 Standard trap nets 3.3 (normal) 1.3 – 26.0 0.38 lb 13
2018-07-09 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.3 – 26.0 0.49 lb 3
2018-07-09 Standard gill nets 21.5 (normal) 5.2 – 56.2 0.36 lb 86
1993-07-06 Standard trap nets 2.4 (normal) 1.3 – 26.0 0.39 lb 22
1979-07-17 Standard gill nets 1.0 (below normal) 5.2 – 56.2 0.20 lb 2
1979-07-17 Standard trap nets 17.0 (normal) 1.3 – 26.0 0.35 lb 85
1985-07-30 Standard gill nets 99.0 (above normal) 5.2 – 56.2 0.35 lb 396
1985-07-30 Standard trap nets 8.3 (normal) 1.3 – 26.0 0.43 lb 33
1998-07-06 Standard trap nets 2.1 (normal) 1.3 – 26.0 0.76 lb 19
1998-07-06 Standard gill nets 18.8 (normal) 5.2 – 56.2 0.42 lb 75
1981-06-18 Standard trap nets 90.7 (above normal) 1.3 – 26.0 0.42 lb 544
2008-07-07 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 1.3 – 26.0 0.62 lb 2
2008-07-07 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
2008-07-07 Standard gill nets 5.0 (below normal) 5.2 – 56.2 0.51 lb 20
1990-07-30 Standard gill nets 153.8 (above normal) 5.2 – 56.2 0.09 lb 615
1990-07-30 Standard trap nets 8.8 (normal) 1.3 – 26.0 0.41 lb 35

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1973-06-15 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.8 – 5.3 0.14 lb 5
2018-07-09 Standard gill nets 2.5 — 0.07 lb 10
2018-07-09 Standard trap nets 2.1 (normal) 0.8 – 5.3 0.11 lb 19
1993-07-06 Special trap nets 9.3 — — 37
1993-07-06 Standard trap nets 1.7 (normal) 0.8 – 5.3 0.14 lb 15
1998-07-06 Special trap nets 15.8 — — 63
1998-07-06 Standard trap nets 3.4 (normal) 0.8 – 5.3 0.07 lb 31
2008-07-07 1/4-in trap nets 1.0 — — 4
2008-07-07 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.04 lb 1
2008-07-07 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.8 – 5.3 0.08 lb 9
1990-07-30 Standard trap nets 1.8 (normal) 0.8 – 5.3 0.14 lb 7

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2018-07-09 Standard gill nets 4.5 (normal) 1.0 – 6.9 0.88 lb 18
2018-07-09 Standard trap nets 2.7 (normal) 0.8 – 5.0 0.79 lb 24
1993-07-06 Standard trap nets 1.8 (normal) 0.8 – 5.0 0.60 lb 16
1985-07-30 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.0 – 6.9 0.30 lb 1
1985-07-30 Standard trap nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.8 – 5.0 0.20 lb 2
1998-07-06 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.0 – 6.9 1.14 lb 1
1998-07-06 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.8 – 5.0 0.75 lb 12
2008-07-07 Standard trap nets 0.8 (below normal) 0.8 – 5.0 0.87 lb 7
2008-07-07 1/4-in trap nets 1.0 — — 4
1990-07-30 Standard gill nets 2.8 (normal) 1.0 – 6.9 1.25 lb 11
1990-07-30 Standard trap nets 7.0 (above normal) 0.8 – 5.0 0.85 lb 28

Common Carp

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2018-07-09 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 4.0 — 1
2018-07-09 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.6 6.38 lb 1
1993-07-06 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.6 2.53 lb 2
1998-07-06 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 4.0 4.23 lb 2
1998-07-06 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.6 3.21 lb 2
2008-07-07 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 4.0 5.67 lb 3
2008-07-07 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.6 — 2
1990-07-30 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 4.0 0.10 lb 1

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2018-07-09 Standard gill nets 0.8 — 0.05 lb 3
2018-07-09 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 0.05 lb 4
1993-07-06 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.09 lb 1
1998-07-06 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.04 lb 1
2008-07-07 Standard trap nets 1.2 — 0.10 lb 11
2008-07-07 1/4-in trap nets 1.3 — — 5

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2018-07-09 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 3.5 2.48 lb 1
1985-07-30 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 0.5 – 3.5 0.67 lb 6
1985-07-30 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.2 3.20 lb 1
1998-07-06 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 3.5 3.63 lb 4
1998-07-06 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.2 4.72 lb 1
2008-07-07 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 3.5 3.44 lb 4
1990-07-30 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 3.5 1.17 lb 3

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1998-07-06 Standard gill nets 2.8 (normal) 0.7 – 3.9 0.07 lb 11
1998-07-06 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.4 0.10 lb 1

SHI

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1998-07-06 Special trap nets 1.0 — 4

Green Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2008-07-07 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — 1

Tadpole Madtom

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2008-07-07 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — 1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 13 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Crow River Custom Rods

Hutchinson, MN

(320) 761-5887

★ 4.5

Dunham's Sports

Hutchinson, MN

(320) 587-7744

★ 3.7

FUYU Outdoors

Hutchinson, MN

(218) 389-8423

★ 5

Little Crow Shooting Sports

Hutchinson, MN

(320) 587-9829

★ 4.8

Maynards Tackle

Winsted, MN

(320) 485-3474

★ 4.3

Menards

Hutchinson, MN

(320) 587-0027

★ 4.1

Outpost

Hutchinson, MN

(320) 587-8177

★ 2.7

Nearby Marinas

Dock Rite Inc

Hutchinson, MN

(320) 587-0644

★ 4

Duehn Marine LLC

Hutchinson, MN

(320) 247-3597

Hutchinson Recreation Center

Hutchinson, MN

(320) 587-2975

★ 4.5

Indoor Boat Storage Inc

Lester Prairie, MN

(952) 470-5005

★ 4.6

Masonic West River Park

Hutchinson, MN

(320) 587-2975

★ 4.5

Piepenburg Park

Hutchinson, MN

(320) 484-4334

★ 4.3

Resorts & Lodges Near French

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near French.

B&B Sports & RV
Fishing Resort Hutchinson

(320) 234-7669
Minnesota Custom Castles
Fishing Resort Hutchinson

(320) 204-6020

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Fish Species

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

Black BullheadBlack CrappieBluegillBowfin (Dogfish)Brown BullheadCommon CarpHybrid SunfishLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedWalleyeYellow BullheadYellow Perch

Other Lakes in McLeod County

Bear

172.3 acres

Cedar

1,860.05 acres

Clear

Hook

329.53 acres

Marion

520.43 acres

Otter

641.79 acres

Plan Your Trip to French

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