Anderson Lake Fishing near Fosston, Minnesota

• Overview

  Out in Clearwater County, Minnesota, sits Anderson Lake. It stands 1,467 feet above sea level. Surface area is around 28 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. A shoreline of some 1.0 miles keeps the choices simple. Nearest place of any size is Bagley, 16 miles away. For a city, Fargo is 71 miles off. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Anderson Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Across Clearwater County, recorded fish include bluegill, northern pike, largemouth bass and yellow perch. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Anderson Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 67°F, with January the cold end at about 4°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near mid November: that is the shape of an average year. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Anderson Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Rockstad Lake is 0.7 miles distant. Confirm before you fish Anderson Lake.