Fishing at Coleman Slough, Stevens County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Coleman Slough sits in Stevens County, out in Minnesota. The surface lies 1,060 feet up. Surface area runs to about 16 acres — small enough to read in one session. Our Stevens County list holds plenty of bigger water. For a base, Morris sits 2.7 miles out. Starbuck is 18 miles away, with Benson at 21 miles. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Coleman Slough

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Across Stevens County, recorded fish include common carp, black bullhead and northern pike. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Fish Coleman Slough where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 71°F, with January the cold end at about 9°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early April and starts locking again about late November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. It sets the rhythm of the year at Coleman Slough.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Coleman Wildlife Management Area runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Crystal Lake, 2.4 miles away. Check the current arrangement for Coleman Slough.