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

• Overview

  Anchor Lake is listed under Saint Louis County, Minnesota. The country round it is mixed forest from end to end. The water covers some 145 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Around 4.1 miles of bank, which is a long day on foot. Eveleth is the closest town at 10 miles. Gilbert lies 12 miles off, Virginia another 14 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Anchor Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Across Saint Louis County, recorded fish include yellow perch, northern pike, white sucker and rainbow trout. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Anchor Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 66°F and January near 4°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late April. The season between ice runs from about late April to late November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Anchor Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. The water borders Anchor Lake Wildlife Management Area, so reserve rules are likely to apply. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. If the gate is shut, Crystal Lake at 0.9 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Anchor Lake before loading the car.