French

Rice County, Minnesota — DOW #66003800

159 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.

875.81

Acres

56 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.

White Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.7 – 10.4	0.11 lb	6
2007-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	0.7 – 10.4	0.44 lb	6
2007-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 6.6	0.23 lb	3
1987-09-02	Standard gill nets	1.4 (normal)	0.7 – 10.4	0.65 lb	7
1989-07-24	Standard gill nets	3.6 (normal)	0.7 – 10.4	0.08 lb	36
1993-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.7 – 10.4	0.26 lb	1
1993-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 6.6	0.31 lb	1

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.5 – 7.3	5.35 lb	2
2023-08-07	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.5 – 7.3	5.61 lb	1
2023-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	5.11 lb	9
2007-08-13	Standard gill nets	1.9 (normal)	1.5 – 7.3	4.20 lb	17
2007-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	5.09 lb	7
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	1.5 – 7.3	3.31 lb	12
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	2.21 lb	5
1987-09-02	Standard gill nets	3.4 (normal)	1.5 – 7.3	1.53 lb	17
1989-07-24	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	1.5 – 7.3	3.30 lb	30
1989-07-24	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	2.58 lb	2
1993-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.5 – 7.3	1.54 lb	2
1993-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	8.76 lb	4

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	28.0 (above normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.13 lb	224
2023-08-07	Standard gill nets	17.8 (above normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.12 lb	142
2023-08-07	Standard trap nets	2.6 (normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.30 lb	31
2007-08-13	Standard gill nets	57.6 (above normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.12 lb	518
2007-08-13	Standard trap nets	29.0 (above normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.09 lb	348
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	67.1 (above normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.12 lb	470
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	36.3 (above normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.25 lb	290
1987-09-02	Standard gill nets	18.6 (above normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.09 lb	93
1987-09-02	Standard trap nets	6.7 (normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.31 lb	40
1989-07-24	Standard gill nets	89.5 (above normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.07 lb	895
1989-07-24	Standard trap nets	20.9 (normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.32 lb	230
1993-08-23	Standard gill nets	25.0 (above normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.18 lb	150
1993-08-23	Standard trap nets	31.4 (above normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.17 lb	345

White Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.8	1.83 lb	2
2023-08-07	Standard gill nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	2.13 lb	3
2007-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	1.40 lb	3
1987-09-02	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.07 lb	3
1987-09-02	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.2 – 0.9	0.88 lb	5
1989-07-24	Standard gill nets	3.1 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	1.25 lb	31
1993-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.71 lb	1
1993-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.2 – 0.9	1.66 lb	5

Muskellunge

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.0	—	1
2023-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 0.5	14.50 lb	4
2023-08-07	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.0	15.38 lb	2
2024-04-15	Musky trap nets	1.7	—	11.02 lb	58
2007-08-13	Standard trap nets	1.1 (above normal)	0.4 – 0.5	16.51 lb	13
2007-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.0	22.21 lb	3
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.0	12.46 lb	1
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 0.5	24.04 lb	1
1987-09-02	Standard trap nets	2.0 (above normal)	0.4 – 0.5	0.17 lb	12
1989-07-24	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 0.5	2.25 lb	3
1989-07-24	Standard gill nets	1.1 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.0	3.11 lb	11
1993-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 0.5	14.99 lb	2
1993-08-23	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.2 – 1.0	4.97 lb	6
2022-04-18	Musky trap nets	0.9	—	14.90 lb	60

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.2 – 6.3	5.05 lb	2
2023-08-07	Standard gill nets	0.6 (below normal)	1.2 – 6.3	3.40 lb	5
2007-08-13	Standard gill nets	4.9 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	1.39 lb	44
2007-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.2	2.12 lb	1
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	1.9 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	1.72 lb	13
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.2	0.84 lb	5
1987-09-02	Standard gill nets	2.4 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	2.96 lb	12
1987-09-02	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.2	3.05 lb	2
1989-07-24	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	3.10 lb	38
1989-07-24	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.2	3.47 lb	3
1993-08-23	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	1.95 lb	8

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	3.0 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.5	0.10 lb	24
2023-08-07	Standard gill nets	1.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.5	0.11 lb	11
2023-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	0.06 lb	3
2007-08-13	Standard gill nets	3.9 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.5	0.05 lb	35
2007-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.8	0.08 lb	1
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	6.6 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.5	0.12 lb	46

Common Carp

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 3.0	0.09 lb	3
2023-08-07	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.0	4.51 lb	1
2007-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 3.0	0.09 lb	7
1987-09-02	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	0.3 – 3.0	0.27 lb	10
1987-09-02	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	2.89 lb	3
1989-07-24	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	0.3 – 3.0	1.35 lb	17
1989-07-24	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	3.64 lb	11
1993-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.0	2.20 lb	1
1993-08-23	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	11.14 lb	16

Freshwater Drum

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	7.8 (normal)	4.0 – 32.3	1.14 lb	62
2023-08-07	Standard trap nets	15.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 4.2	3.88 lb	180
2023-08-07	Standard gill nets	16.4 (normal)	4.0 – 32.3	1.79 lb	131
2007-08-13	Standard trap nets	5.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 4.2	3.94 lb	60
2007-08-13	Standard gill nets	2.7 (below normal)	4.0 – 32.3	1.50 lb	24
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	4.8 (above normal)	0.5 – 4.2	3.15 lb	38
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	3.0 (below normal)	4.0 – 32.3	1.41 lb	21
1987-09-02	Standard trap nets	1.5 (normal)	0.5 – 4.2	1.21 lb	9
1987-09-02	Standard gill nets	2.2 (below normal)	4.0 – 32.3	0.78 lb	11
1989-07-24	Standard trap nets	14.3 (above normal)	0.5 – 4.2	0.79 lb	157
1989-07-24	Standard gill nets	7.1 (normal)	4.0 – 32.3	0.70 lb	71
1993-08-23	Standard trap nets	7.7 (above normal)	0.5 – 4.2	2.80 lb	85
1993-08-23	Standard gill nets	2.5 (below normal)	4.0 – 32.3	1.89 lb	15

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.38 lb	2
2023-08-07	Standard gill nets	1.4	—	0.14 lb	11
2023-08-07	Standard trap nets	16.8 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.15 lb	201
2007-08-13	Standard gill nets	5.0	—	0.16 lb	45
2007-08-13	Standard trap nets	45.4 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.03 lb	545
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	22.4 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.17 lb	179
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.38 lb	2
1987-09-02	Standard gill nets	6.0	—	0.18 lb	30
1987-09-02	Standard trap nets	10.0 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.29 lb	60
1989-07-24	Standard gill nets	10.8	—	0.23 lb	108
1989-07-24	Standard trap nets	53.5 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.07 lb	589
1993-08-23	Standard gill nets	10.5	—	0.16 lb	63
1993-08-23	Standard trap nets	16.2 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.16 lb	178

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	35.5 (above normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.14 lb	284
2023-08-07	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.17 lb	20
2023-08-07	Standard gill nets	12.9 (normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.12 lb	103
2007-08-13	Standard trap nets	2.9 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.11 lb	35
2007-08-13	Standard gill nets	30.6 (above normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.07 lb	275
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.23 lb	11
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	19.9 (normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.19 lb	139
1987-09-02	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.09 lb	1
1987-09-02	Standard gill nets	45.0 (above normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.13 lb	225
1989-07-24	Standard trap nets	2.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.10 lb	25
1989-07-24	Standard gill nets	17.1 (normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.08 lb	171
1993-08-23	Standard trap nets	1.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.15 lb	18
1993-08-23	Standard gill nets	149.7 (above normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.03 lb	898

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2023-08-07	Standard electrofishing	10.1	—	1.38 lb	10
2023-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	1.07 lb	3
2007-08-13	Special electrofishing	4.3	—	1.69 lb	7
2007-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	1.88 lb	3
2017-08-07	Standard electrofishing	38.5	—	0.49 lb	50
1987-09-02	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.50 lb	2
1993-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.49 lb	1

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2023-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.9 – 5.7	2.38 lb	1
1987-09-02	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	0.71 lb	6
1989-07-24	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.5 – 7.5	1.11 lb	6
1989-07-24	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	0.78 lb	19
1993-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 7.5	1.43 lb	1
1993-08-23	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	2.71 lb	14

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2023-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.09 lb	1

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2023-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.17 lb	2
2007-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.16 lb	6
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.23 lb	2
1987-09-02	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.22 lb	1
1987-09-02	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.13 lb	11
1989-07-24	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.25 lb	1
1989-07-24	Standard trap nets	2.4 (normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.14 lb	26
1993-08-23	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.11 lb	16

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2007-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	5.98 lb	1
1987-09-02	Standard gill nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	2.37 lb	1
1987-09-02	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	0.50 lb	1
1989-07-24	Standard gill nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	3.55 lb	4
1989-07-24	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.33 lb	4
1993-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.8	8.32 lb	1
1993-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.98 lb	4

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-09-02	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.7 – 25.7	0.69 lb	6
1987-09-02	Standard gill nets	13.8 (normal)	2.5 – 45.0	0.83 lb	69
1989-07-24	Standard trap nets	11.3 (normal)	0.7 – 25.7	0.81 lb	124
1989-07-24	Standard gill nets	18.2 (normal)	2.5 – 45.0	0.59 lb	182
1993-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.7 – 25.7	2.09 lb	7
1993-08-23	Standard gill nets	1.3 (below normal)	2.5 – 45.0	1.76 lb	8

BIB

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-09-02	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	5.65 lb	2
1993-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.0 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	—	—
1993-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	5.34 lb	4

Green Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-07-24	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.3	0.12 lb	2

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-07-24	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.0	3.19 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 Marinas

Cannon River, Sechler City Park Public Water Access Site

Northfield, MN

Cannon River Wilderness Area Canoe Launch

Faribault, MN

LaCanne's Marine

Faribault, MN

(507) 334-6415

★ 4.4

LaCanne's Marine Service Center

Faribault, MN

(507) 334-6415

Lakefront Dock and Lift

Faribault, MN

(507) 838-3625

★ 5

Northfield Canoe Launch

Northfield, MN

Resorts & Lodges Near French

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near French.

River Bend Nature Center

Fishing Resort Faribault

(507) 332-7151

Grandma's Lakeside Resort

Fishing Resort Faribault

(507) 334-7692

Le Mieux Resort & Campground

Fishing Resort Faribault

(507) 334-5334

Roberds Lake Resort & Campgrounds

Fishing Resort Faribault

(507) 332-8978

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

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

Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Common Carp Freshwater Drum Hybrid Crappie Hybrid Sunfish Largemouth Bass Muskellunge Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Walleye White Bass White Crappie Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near French

Faribault Fishing

Fishing Guide

Other Lakes in Rice County

Faribault

Plan Your Trip to French

Weather forecast for French — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 44.3391°N, 93.3918°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

White Crappie

Northern Pike

Black Crappie

White Bass

Muskellunge

Walleye

Golden Shiner

Common Carp

Freshwater Drum

Bluegill

Yellow Perch

Largemouth Bass

Yellow Bullhead

Hybrid Sunfish

Pumpkinseed

Bowfin

Black Bullhead

BIB

Green Sunfish

White Sucker

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

John's Bait & Tackle

Lake Country Convenience & Bait

Ziggy’s Live Bait & Tackle

AI Fish Report

Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Boating Center

Bomgaars

Buckmeister Bait and Butcher

Nearby Marinas

Cannon River, Sechler City Park Public Water Access Site

Cannon River Wilderness Area Canoe Launch

LaCanne's Marine

LaCanne's Marine Service Center

Lakefront Dock and Lift

Northfield Canoe Launch

Resorts & Lodges Near French

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near French

Other Lakes in Rice County

Cannon

Caron

Cedar

Circle

Cody

Faribault

Plan Your Trip to French