Colman Lake in Scott County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Colman Lake sits in Scott County, out in Minnesota. It lies 676 feet above sea level. Around 47 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. About 1.4 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. Supplies mean a trip to Savage, 0.9 miles off. The big place round here is Minneapolis, 14 miles distant. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Colman Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. County-wide records name bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie, pumpkinseed and common carp. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Colman Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 73°F on average, January about 12°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early April. Climate averages put the opening at about early April and the closing near early December. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. On Colman Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. There is a pier recorded roughly half a mile away. There are toilets half a mile off. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Hyland Lake, 2.5 miles out. What applies at Colman Lake may have changed since it was mapped.