Fishing at Bullhead Lake, Becker County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Bullhead Lake is one of the Becker County listings for Minnesota. Elevation runs to 1,457 feet. The water covers some 33 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. For supplies, Detroit Lakes is 14 miles out. Further out sit Frazee (20 miles) and Mahnomen (23 miles). It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Bullhead Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Becker County records list bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye and northern pike among the fish reported. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. The shape of Bullhead Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 4°F in January and 68°F in July. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid April until roughly mid November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. At Bullhead Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Public data records a pier about half a mile out. Part of this sits inside or beside Bullhead Lake AMA, so read the notices. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. The nearest alternative is Little Sugar Bush Lake, 0.9 miles out. Nothing here settles the position at Bullhead Lake for certain.