Bass Lake Fishing, S of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota

• Overview

  Cass County, Minnesota, is where Bass Lake sits. Elevation runs to 1,322 feet. It covers about 18 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Most waters listed here for Cass County are larger. Nearest place of any size is Pequot Lakes, 19 miles away. For a city, Fargo is 111 miles off. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Bass Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Records held for Cass County cover largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Anyone new to Bass Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 6°F and July at about 68°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid April until roughly late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. At Bass Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Tamarack Lake sits 0.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat access at Bass Lake as something to verify.