Edwards Lake Fishing near Staples, Minnesota

• Overview

  Edwards Lake is one of the Todd County listings for Minnesota. The country here is rolling bush. This is a pocket water of some 25 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Todd County. Nearest place of any size is Staples, 2.9 miles away. Then Wadena, 16 miles, and East Gull Lake, 24 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Edwards Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Species logged across Todd County include largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Edwards Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 7°F and July at about 69°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Ice-out usually falls in mid April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near late November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Plan any trip to Edwards Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. You can camp half a mile off, which suits an early start. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Jacobson Lake, 0.6 miles away. For Edwards Lake in particular, ask before you travel.