Bedford Lake, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Bedford Lake lies within the bounds of Lake County, Minnesota. The surface lies 1,486 feet up. Surface area is around 27 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. Supplies mean a trip to Ely, 30 miles off. After that come Babbitt at 40 miles and Grand Marais at 48 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Bedford Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Lake County include white sucker, yellow perch, northern pike, rainbow trout and walleye. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Fish Bedford Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 65°F, with January the cold end at about 4°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around late April. Break-up near late April, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Expect Bedford Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Overnight stays are possible about 0.9 miles out, where camping is mapped. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Missionary Lake sits 0.7 miles off and takes the overflow. For Bedford Lake in particular, ask before you travel.