Fishing at Cranberry Lake, Aitkin County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Cranberry Lake is one of the Aitkin County waters in Minnesota. The surface lies 1,240 feet up. It covers about 18 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Most waters listed here for Aitkin County are larger. Aitkin lies 9.3 miles from the water. After that come Crosby at 14 miles and Crosslake at 15 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Cranberry Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Species logged across Aitkin County include northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch, black crappie and largemouth bass. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Anyone new to Cranberry Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 6°F to 68°F. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid April in spring and again near late November in autumn. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. On Cranberry Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Failing this one, try Coon Lake, 1.1 miles away. Check the position at Cranberry Lake before loading the car.