Fishing Altnow Lake in Sibley County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Altnow Lake stands in Sibley County, Minnesota. The country round it is lake country bush from end to end. The water covers some 57 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The bank runs about 1.7 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Most waters listed here for Sibley County are larger. Gaylord is the closest place, 4 miles off. Arlington follows at 4.5 miles, then Winthrop at 10 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Altnow Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Sibley County: green sunfish, white sucker and black bullhead. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Altnow Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 72°F and January reads 12°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly early April. The season between ice runs from about early April to late November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. It holds true on Altnow Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Part of this sits inside or beside Altnow Marsh Wildlife Management Area, so read the notices. For walleye, a jig and minnow near the bottom is the standard; evenings beat middays. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Weimann Lake is 0.9 miles off. For Altnow Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.