Esquagama Lake Fishing in Saint Louis County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Esquagama Lake lies in Saint Louis County, in Minnesota. The water sits 1,348 feet up. Surface area runs to roughly 472 acres, so plan for one area rather than the whole. It ranks high for size among our Saint Louis County listings. The town to know is Gilbert, 5.3 miles out. Further out sit Aurora (7.1 miles) and Eveleth (8.6 miles). It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Esquagama Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. 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. Across Saint Louis County, recorded fish include yellow perch, northern pike, white sucker and rainbow trout. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Esquagama Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 66°F, the coldest about 4°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late April. On average, late April opens the water and late November closes it again. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. The season on Esquagama Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. The nearest recorded ramp is Eshquaguma Boat Landing, half a mile out. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. Sort the permit out before you load the car. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. If the gate is shut, Little Esquagama Lake at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat Esquagama Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.