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Rating depth structure for brook trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
26-acre lake near Cook County. The lake tops out around 16 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Bench maps at 26 acres behind 1.1 miles of shoreline. With a 1.5 development index there's bank structure worth casting at, in moderation. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 90% of the surface on the model — that's where the groceries are. Tip to tip the water measures near 0.5 mi with a 0.2-mi widest point. It sits in Cook County. Its nearest charted neighbour, Crystal, is 0 mi to the south.
Early season brook trout use the shallows, holding in 2 to 15 ft. Expect a summer slide to 5 to 16 ft, then a winter hold in 2 to 16 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 14 ft that grades prime for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm and you're in the game.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 5 to 16 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (14 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 2 to 16 ft chart-limited; documented 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Deep basin (14 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
The chart marks 4 structure features on Bench; the deepest is Deep basin at about 14 ft.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024* | Brook Trout (fingerlings) | 1,500 | — |
* Approximate date (agency reports month or season only). Source: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports, retrieved 2026-09-11.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Minnesota waters are set by the Minnesota DNR — and special regulations can apply to Bench specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Minnesota fishing regulations →
Bench is about 16 ft (5 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target brook trout on Bench.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 14 ft of water that rates prime for brook trout in summer. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For brook trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Yes — per Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports records, Bench was most recently stocked 2024 with 1,500 brook trout (fingerlings). The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on Bench is regulated by the Minnesota DNR. Check the official Minnesota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Crystal 0 mi · Pierz 1 mi · Kiowa 1 mi · Canoe 1 mi · Little Caribou 2 mi · Gogebic 2 mi · Paddle 2 mi · Parsnip 2 mi · Carrot 2 mi · Vale 2 mi · West Pike 3 mi · Tomato 3 mi
See how Bench stacks up: best brook trout lakes in Minnesota
More water nearby: Cook County fishing maps (351 charts). Browse all Minnesota fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.