Lake Belle Taine, Nevis MN

[Joel B.]

How is the fishing (bass, walleye, northern) and water quality of this lake? I have checked the DNR site for information but wanted to get some personal info as well. The lake map seems to show a lot of shallow areas and I'm wondering if these areas become weed-choked carp habitat in the summer.

Thanks to all for any information,

Joel B.

[Riverguy]

My fathers uncle lived on Belle Taine for over 20 year and my grandparents are on another excellent fishing lake in Nevis. The fishing on Belle Taine is average at best. Great lake, clean, sandy, not a lot of carp (if any). Better lake for panfish and northern. Bass fishing is OK, walleye fishing is not great. Beautiful country too.

Why are you asking? Leech is very close and very good. There are some other very good walleye lakes. My grandparents lake is excellent for 3 weeks or so in the spring and again in the fall. Average size is over 20".

[Joel B.]

Thanks for the reply. Saw a lake lot for sale and just wanted to check out the lake a little.

Joel B.

[rock2me]

We have a lake place on Belle Taine. Prior to purchasing the lot we camped on Campers Paradise (Goat Island that is accesible via a causeway) for 12 years. It is a very nice lake with good water quality.

It is important to note that the water level is at the highest point that it has been. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/perl/lk_levels.pl?id=29014600 I would be cautious before making any purchase. I noticed this summer that their were some places for sale that were worthless prior to this latest high water. Other places the were destroyed by the high water.

As the previous post notes, it is not a fabulous walleye lake. I can give you some insight on fishing spots but you probably are not going to get a 10lber out of Belle Taine. We can get eaters at different times of the year.

There is the occasional muskie - I have caught two on Belle Taine. Nothing huge but fun too.

There are plenty of bass - small and largemouth to provide good fun.

I have never seen or heard of carp in this lake. There are quite a few suckers and bullheads but I have never targeted them so I have never caught one. If you are interested, I can show you where they are stacked up. I always thought there was a large school of walleyes in this spot until I rented a camera to see it was otherwise.

This lake is the end of a semi-navigable chain of lakes. I believe it starts in Upper Bottle to Lower Bottle then flows to Lake Emma (small spawner lake I've seen 10lb fish here in the spring when the DNR nets suckers for eggs) then flows to Big Sand (fabulous lake due to it's depth, ciscoes, and slot limit). Then it flows to Lake Ida, Little Sand (good walleyes and a ton of pike) then to Shallow Lake and finally to Belle Taine. Then there is an underground flow to the 5th Crow Wing and on an on.

If you can tell me the spot I can probably give you some more insight. Please, don't tell me you are looking at the island to buy. I hope to one-day get my hands on it.

Good Luck!

[rock2me]

As a follow-up, Belle Taine is a weed-bite for walleyes. Many people fish it by the rock/sand structure and they get dissapointed.

Good Luck!

[Joel B.]

I've heard rumors that due to the high water the septic systems are backing up into the lake.

Have you heard anything about this?

Joel B.

[s.f.]

by looking at the dnr survey details, this is, in fact a pretty fair walleye lake. however, typical of lakes dependant on stocked walleyes, local fishermen don't do too well. why? stocked walleyes think they are bass...they all relate to the weeds and not the textbook natural walleye habitat such as bars, rocks etc.
#49

[rock2me]

sf, you are so right. If I'm not catching a few bucket mouths, I know I am not going to get a walleye either. There is a nice flat that produces all year but you will get more, or as many bass as 'eyes. You just need to get some of the bass out of the way first.

As far as septic systems leaking into the lake, I haven't heard much. There were concerns with some properties but I believe they removed some. They are trying to drain the lake down a little, for the last year, but it does not seem to be helping much.

Personally, I'd like to see it drop about 1-1/2 to 2 feet. Then we would have our beach back.

Good Luck!

[Joel B.]

rock2me,

I heard this from my wife's cousin who has a place on Third Crow Wing lake (same area). I'd hate to buy a lake lot and find out the lake is full of s**t! I'll try calling the fisheries supervisor in Park Rapids and see if they can tell me anything.

Thanks again,

Joel B.

[Riverguy]

My grandparents are on 3rd Crow-right next to Round Bay Resort. There are some BIG walleyes in there. Little fishing pressure, decent stocking and some big fish! We release 2-3 a year over 5lbs-and we only fish the lake 5-6 days/year.