Fishing Belas Lake

Belas Lake is a 30-acre shallow lake that provides excellent bluegill fishing, with the population ranking 4 out of 7 on the state's bluegill quality scale. Nearly half (49%) of bluegills are legal size over 6 inches, and they're growing 0.7 inches above the state average. The lake has a history of periodic winterkills that actually benefit fish growth by reducing competition - dissolved oxygen drops to dangerous levels below 12 feet and can reach just 0.2 ppm at 6 feet in winter. Northern pike are present in low numbers but all three caught were legal size, ranging from 22-27 inches, likely descendants from a 1954 stocking of 100 fingerlings. The lake bottom is mostly pulpy peat with no significant structure, and a thermocline forms around 5 feet in summer. Yellow perch grow at the state average rate and historically move up the eastern inlet in large numbers during winterkill events. Black crappie numbers are low but 75% are legal size, while bullheads are abundant with 95.6% reaching legal size. The marshy shoreline and dark brown water provide good habitat for panfish, and the state-owned access site accommodates 10 vehicles. Limited access and low fishing pressure help maintain the quality fishery.