Colby Lake near Woodbury: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Colby Lake stands in Washington County, Minnesota. It sits at 883 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 71 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The full circuit measures close to 1.7 miles on foot. It lies lower than most water we list in Minnesota. Woodbury lies 2.7 miles from the water. Oakdale is 4.7 miles away, with Newport at 5.2 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Colby Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Across Washington County, recorded fish include bluegill, largemouth bass, brown trout and northern pike. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Colby Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 72°F, the coldest about 12°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early April until roughly late November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Plan around that when you fish Colby Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. There is a car park half a mile from the bank. Mapping shows a jetty some half a mile off. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Powers Lake sits 1.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Ask locally about Colby Lake if anything is unclear.