Fishing at Ash Lake, Grant County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Minnesota holds Ash Lake, in Grant County. Elevation runs to 1,063 feet. Surface area is around 220 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. You are looking at roughly 3.2 miles of shoreline, with plenty of water between access points. On our Grant County list it sits near the top for size. Elbow Lake at 8.9 miles is the nearest place to stop. Fergus Falls lies 16 miles off, Wheaton another 24 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Ash Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Public occurrence data for Grant County names common carp, largemouth bass, walleye and bluegill. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Anyone new to Ash Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 71°F and January about 8°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid April. The water is typically free of ice between mid April and late November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. The season on Ash Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. The water borders Shuck Wildlife Management Area, so reserve rules are likely to apply. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Failing this one, try Mud Lake, 1.4 miles away. Check the position on Ash Lake before loading the car.