Fishing Andrus Lake in Cass County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Cass County, Minnesota, is where Andrus Lake sits. It lies 1,319 feet above sea level. The water covers some 52 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. With about 1.4 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. The nearest place of any size is Crosslake, 13 miles away. The big place round here is Fargo, 132 miles distant. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Andrus Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Cass County records list largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill and walleye among the fish reported. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. At Andrus Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 67°F, while January sits near 6°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. The season between ice runs from about mid April to late November. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Time your trip to Andrus Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Snowshoe Lake sits 0.5 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Andrus Lake are worth checking on the day.