Fishing Bass Lake in Becker County, Minnesota

• Overview

  The Becker County entry here is Bass Lake, in Minnesota. The water sits 1,365 feet up. The water covers some 25 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The whole outline is near 1.0 miles, and most of it is walkable. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Becker County. Supplies mean a trip to Detroit Lakes, 6.8 miles off. Fargo is the closest city, 39 miles away. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Bass Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Becker County records list bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike and yellow perch among the fish reported. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Bass Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 4°F and July at about 69°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about late November in an average year. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. It holds true on Bass Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is a ramp at Little Cormorant Lake Public Water Access, half a mile out. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Moe Lake, 0.5 miles out. Nothing here settles the position at Bass Lake for certain.