Fishing at Ernest Lake, Cook County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Ernest Lake lies within the bounds of Cook County, Minnesota. It stands 1,585 feet above sea level. Small at around 4 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It is a small entry by Cook County standards. 33 miles away sits Grand Marais, the nearest town. Beyond it, Ely at 51 miles and Atikokan at 58 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Ernest Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Species logged across Cook County include white sucker, yellow perch, northern pike, rainbow trout and walleye. The county list is broader than any single water. Read Ernest Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 4°F in January up to 64°F in July. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late April. Climate averages put the opening at about late April and the closing near mid November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. It holds true on Ernest Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Kerfoot Lakes at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing here settles the position at Ernest Lake for certain.