Chain Lake Fishing near Harris, Minnesota

• Overview

  Chain Lake sits within Chisago County in Minnesota. It lies 883 feet above sea level. Roughly 107 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The perimeter runs near 4.4 miles, so plan the walk before you start. It lies lower than most water we list in Minnesota. For supplies, Harris is 2.7 miles out. Further out sit North Branch (3.1 miles) and Branch (5.1 miles). A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Chain Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Species logged across Chisago County include largemouth bass, common carp and bluegill. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Chain Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 70°F and January near 10°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Look for the thaw near early April; the fishing lifts straight after. Break-up sits around early April on average, with the water closing again about late November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. On Chain Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Rat Lake at 1.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing on Chain Lake should be assumed from this page alone.