Lake Belle Taine

Lake Belle Taine is the ideal spot for a family vacation.

Those who head to the lake to swim, water ski, or enjoy an afternoon of boating remember Lake Belle Taine because of the crystal clear water and firm sand bottom.  It is a clean algae free lake.  Swimmers need not worry about “swimmers itch”.

Fishing Lake Belle Taine can be challenging.  Most fishermen like exploring the many bays and inlets that provide an excellent habitat for a wide variety of fish including the elusive muskie and the rare silver pike.  Lake Belle Taine is considered one of the top walleye lakes in Minnesota.  The local fishermen regularly fish Belle Taine for walleye, northern, bass, and crappie.  To add to the fishing experience you may be able to access both Deer and Shallow Lakes from Lake Belle Taine.

Resort Content is located in Muskie Bay on the north shore of Lake Belle Taine. 

From the resort, boats may access the main body of water by traveling under the bridge or around the end of the island.  In the 1930’s our bay was used by the University of Minnesota as a rearing pond to propagate Muskie and other species of fish.  Directly across from the resort is a good spot to fish for bass.  In the winter months, the fish houses on the bay make it look like a scene from “Grumpy Old Men”

Lake Belle Taine is not a small lake.

Lake Belle Taine covers 1435 acres and offers over 22 miles of shoreline.  It is the 3rd largest and southernmost lake in the Mantrap Chain of Lakes.  Seventeen lakes flow from north to south, without an outlet, along a path carved by the great glacier.  The Ojibwa name for the lake is translated as “the lake into which the river pitches and ceases to flow”. 

Lake Belle Taine links the Mantrap and the Crow Wing Chain of Lakes.  From Belle Taine an underground waterway through beds of gravel form springs that feed the eleven lakes in the Crow Wing Chain of Lakes.  According to some of the “old timers” construction of Hwy. #34 many years ago plugged the only direct flow of water from Lake Belle Taine into the Crow Wing Chain of Lakes.

Fishing on Lake Belle Taine put Nevis on the map!

Years ago Lake Belle Taine was best known for its muskie fishing.  Nevis is the small town located on the northeast shores of Lake Belle Taine.  In the center of town you will find a large statue of a “muskie” erected in the early 1950’s.  The town’s claim to fame is being home of the “World Largest Tiger Muskie.”  Every summer folks gather for a few days in July to celebrate “Muskie Days.” 

How do I know where to fish on Lake Belle Taine and what to use for bait?

We recommend checking out the DNR site.  We have provided links for you to do so.  We also suggest asking questions when you stop to buy a fishing license and bait.  They can often tell you about the current “hot spots” on the lake.  We refer our guests who are serious fishermen to Jason Durham who is our local kindergarten teacher and owns his own guide service.  Jason grew up fishing on Lake Belle Taine.  He writes a fishing column for the Park Rapids newspaper, has authored two books on fishing, and travels to sport shows giving tips and teaching the techniques he uses.  Check out our link to his web site.  We also recommend Kelly Cirks, another local man.  We have included some of Kelly’s fish stories and advice.  Kelly also travels throughout the country presenting a kids fishing clinic. 

Many activities take place on Lake Belle Taine.

Nevis has one of the nicest public beaches in the area and a handicapped accessible fishing pier.  There is also a boat ramp at the public access at the edge of town.  Lake Belle Taine is a popular recreational escape.  During the summer months, the lake is the site of two very popular fishing tournaments, the Gene Cirks Memorial Catch and Release Fishing Tournament and the Nevis Scholarship Fund Junior Fishing Tournament for younger anglers.  It is also where the swimmers compete in the Northwood’s Triathlon (swim, bike, run) Nevis hosts in August.  Every year around the 4th of July, lake residents decorate their boats and pontoons in the patriotic red, white, and blue, and join the parade or flotilla on the water.

I just want to relax!

Come watch the sun rise and set.  Sit on the end of the dock and dangle your feet in the water.  Bask in the sun on an old lawn chair.  Watch a blue heron catch his lunch.  Watch a turtle poke his head above the water and then disappear only to reappear a few feet away.  Dig your feet into the sand and experience how it feels.  Watch and listen as the water ripples and splashes against the shore.  Notice the blackbird among the cattails.  Sit around the campfire at night and listen to the frogs croak and the crickets chirp.  Lie in the hammock in the middle of the day and be amazed by the large pileated woodpeckers lunching on bugs in a tree.  Observe the beauty of the water lily and cattails.  Listen to the loons.  Many nesting pairs of Common Loons call Lake Belle Taine home each summer.  In recent years, they have competed with the Bald Eagles in the area for fishing rights to Lake Belle Taine.   

Where is Elbow Lake?

The old plat books and records at the court house identify Lake Belle Taine as Elbow Lake.  Apparently, this name was used for a period of time.  The shape or configuration of the lake suggests the reason the name Elbow Lake was used.

What is the lake level?

Over the years the water level in Lake Belle Taine has fluctuated a great deal.  In the spring of 2001 the lake level reached an all time high.  Options to lower and effectively maintain the water level were explored but no action was taken.  While the county commissioners and residents of the entire watershed district argued the merits of such action the lake returned to a more acceptable level.  Hydrologists who have studied the lake basin cannot explain with any certainty why the lake seems to go through a cycle and experience periods of high water repeatedly every 12 – 15 years.

Protect the water quality on Lake Belle Taine.

We need your help to protect the water quality of our lake and the natural vegetation that feeds the fish and other wildlife.  We want to maintain the water quality of our lake for all to enjoy for years to come.  We ask you to do your part.

• Inspect all watercraft, trailers, and boating equipment, remove any visible plants, animals and mud before leaving any water access site.
• Drain water from boat, bait container, live well, bilge, and impellor, before leaving any water access.  If you want to keep your live bait – you must replace water in bait containers with tap or spring water.
• Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.  Never release live bait into a waterbody or release aquatic animals from one waterbody into another.
• Use closed throttle close to shore.  The wake from your boat causes the shoreline to erode and may destroy vegetation.

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