Ellingson Lake in Grant County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Ellingson Lake is a Grant County water, in Minnesota. It lies 1,201 feet above sea level. Around 196 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. There is roughly 2.1 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. Some 13 miles away sits Elbow Lake, the nearest settlement. The big place round here is Fargo, 84 miles distant. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Ellingson Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Public occurrence data for Grant County names common carp, largemouth bass, walleye, bluegill and yellow perch. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Ellingson Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 70°F, the coldest about 8°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Count the season from break-up, usually mid April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about late November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Plan any trip to Ellingson Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Olson Lake, 1.2 miles away. Check the position on Ellingson Lake before loading the car.