College Lake, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  College Lake lies in Hennepin County, in Minnesota. Elevation runs to 945 feet. About 4 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Hennepin County. The closest town, Excelsior, is 0.4 miles distant. The nearest city of size is Minneapolis, 16 miles away. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on College Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. County-wide records name bluegill, common carp, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and black crappie. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. At College Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 72°F and January near 12°F on the long-run figures. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early April. On average, early April opens the water and early December closes it again. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. That shapes the year on College Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Public data records a boat ramp half a mile out. Minnetonka Marina Gideon Bay is the mapped marina, about half a mile away. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. A platform or pier sits within half a mile. Mapping records toilets within half a mile. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Mud Lake, 0.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Treat access at College Lake as something to verify.