Fishing at Buttonbox Lake, Itasca County, Minnesota

• Overview

  In Minnesota, Buttonbox Lake belongs to Itasca County. Everything around it is mixed forest. The water covers some 80 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. A shoreline of some 2.4 miles keeps the choices simple. Chisholm sits 32 miles from here and is the nearest stop. For a city, Fargo is 177 miles off. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Buttonbox Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Survey and observation records for Itasca County include yellow perch, largemouth bass and northern pike. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Take Buttonbox Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 66°F and January near 5°F on the long-run figures. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about late April until roughly mid November. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Buttonbox Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Overnight stays are possible about half a mile out, where camping is mapped. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. The nearest alternative is Five Island Lake, 1 mile out. The position on Buttonbox Lake is worth confirming on the day.