Anderson Lake Fishing in Clearwater County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Anderson Lake lies within the bounds of Clearwater County, Minnesota. Around the bank it is pine and birch. Surface area runs to about 7 acres — small enough to read in one session. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Clearwater County. The closest town, Bagley, is 12 miles away. Beyond it, Little Rock at 16 miles and Red Lake at 20 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Anderson Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Survey and observation records for Clearwater County include bluegill, northern pike and largemouth bass. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Take Anderson Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 67°F at the top of summer and 3°F at the bottom of winter. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. The water is typically free of ice between mid April and mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. The season on Anderson Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Clearbrook Lake sits 0.9 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Anderson Lake before loading the car.