Fishing at Amelia Lake, Anoka County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Minnesota holds Amelia Lake, in Anoka County. What surrounds it is mixed forest. It measures about 159 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Roughly 2.2 miles of bank means you can walk to a fresh area when one goes quiet. It is low-lying compared with other Minnesota water we list. Nearest town is Centerville, 2.2 miles off. North Oaks is 2.4 miles away, with Lino Lakes at 2.7 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Amelia Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. County-wide records name bluegill, common carp, black crappie and largemouth bass. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Amelia Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 12°F in January to roughly 72°F in July. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Once it clears, about early April, the fishing comes on quickly. Average temperatures cross freezing around early April in spring and again near early December in autumn. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Amelia Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Failing this one, try Otter Lake, 0.8 miles away. Nothing here settles the position at Amelia Lake for certain.