Coon Lakes Fishing in McLeod County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Look for Coon Lakes in the McLeod County part of Minnesota. The country round it is pine and birch from end to end. This is a pocket water of some 21 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. On size it sits at the modest end of our McLeod County list. The closest town, Winsted, is 3 miles distant. Beyond it, Howard Lake at 6 miles and Lester Prairie at 7.1 miles. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Coon Lakes

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Records held for McLeod County cover largemouth bass, common carp, walleye, northern pike and bluegill. The county list is broader than any single water. On Coon Lakes that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 72°F and January near 11°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Look for the thaw near early April; the fishing lifts straight after. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early April until roughly late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Coon Lakes.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Grass Lake sits 2.1 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Coon Lakes are worth checking on the day.