Erickson Lake, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Crow Wing County entry here is Erickson Lake, in Minnesota. The land about it is pine and birch. At roughly 13 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Crow Wing County. For supplies, Crosby is 4.1 miles out. Aitkin is 8.9 miles away, with Brainerd at 17 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Erickson Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in Crow Wing County include largemouth bass, bluegill and yellow perch. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Take Erickson Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 69°F, while January sits near 7°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near late November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. It holds true on Erickson Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Failing this one, try Jim Lake, 0.4 miles away. What applies at Erickson Lake may have changed since it was mapped.