Namakan Lake in Saint Louis County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Namakan Lake is a Saint Louis County water, Minnesota side. Elevation runs to 1,106 feet. Surface area runs to some 19.0 sq miles, so a boat and a plan are both worth having. On our Saint Louis County list it sits near the top for size. Fort Frances sits 39 miles from here and is the nearest stop. For a city, Thunder Bay is 153 miles off. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Namakan Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Records held for Saint Louis County cover yellow perch, northern pike, white sucker, rainbow trout and walleye. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Namakan Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 5°F and July at about 66°F, the water has a wide range to work through. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late April and starts locking again about late November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. At Namakan Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. If the gate is shut, Lost Lake at 2.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing on Namakan Lake should be assumed from this page alone.