Bensen Lake Fishing Guide, Polk County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Bensen Lake lies in Polk County, in Minnesota. This is rolling bush ground. At roughly 19 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Most waters listed here for Polk County are larger. Fosston is the closest town at 11 miles. Fargo is the closest city, 64 miles away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Bensen Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Polk County records list yellow perch, brown bullhead and white sucker among the fish reported. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Bensen Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 68°F and January near 4°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about mid November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Time your trip to Bensen Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. A pier or jetty stands half a mile away, which helps on a crowded bank. Pike mean a wire trace, no exceptions; big spoons and jerkbaits do the searching. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Willow Water Lake, 0.5 miles away. What applies at Bensen Lake may have changed since it was mapped.