Clarke Lake Fishing in Itasca County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Look for Clarke Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota. It lies 1,312 feet above sea level. At about 27 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. With about 1.2 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. The nearest town is Cohasset, 6.7 miles away. It is 152 miles to Fargo, the nearest city. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Clarke Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Itasca County records list yellow perch, largemouth bass and northern pike among the fish reported. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. On Clarke Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 5°F to 67°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. The lid tends to go about mid April and return around late November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Plan any trip to Clarke Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Failing this one, try Loon Lake, 1.3 miles away. Confirm before you fish Clarke Lake.