Elwell Lake in Washington County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Elwell Lake is a Washington County water, Minnesota side. It sits in rolling bush country. This is a pocket water of some 16 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Our Washington County list holds plenty of bigger water. Nearest place of any size is Forest Lake, 4.3 miles away. The big place round here is Saint Paul, 24 miles distant. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Elwell Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Species logged across Washington County include bluegill, largemouth bass and brown trout. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Anyone new to Elwell Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 71°F and January about 11°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Break-up comes around early April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Averages suggest open water from about early April through to roughly late November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Elwell Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Cranberry Lake at 0.8 miles is the nearest alternative. Rules at Elwell Lake are worth checking on the day.