Bailey Lake Fishing near Woodbury, Minnesota

• Overview

  In Minnesota, Bailey Lake belongs to Washington County. This is rolling bush ground. Around 60 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. About 1.4 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. It is low-lying compared with other Minnesota water we list. Woodbury sits 3.6 miles from the bank. Saint Paul sits 9.9 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Bailey 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. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Reported across Washington County: bluegill, largemouth bass, brown trout and northern pike. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Bailey Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 72°F on average, January about 12°F. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Once it clears, about early April, the fishing comes on quickly. Climate averages put the opening at about early April and the closing near late November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Time your trip to Bailey Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Colby Lake sits 1.7 miles off and takes the overflow. Where Bailey Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.