Fishing Fee Lake in Lake County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Fee Lake is a Lake County water, Minnesota side. It sits in mixed forest. Roughly 29 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. It sits higher than most water we list in Minnesota. The nearest town is Ely, 37 miles away. The nearest city of size is Thunder Bay, 88 miles away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Fee Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Open biodiversity records for Lake County list white sucker, yellow perch and northern pike. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. At Fee Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 64°F and January at 4°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late April. Break-up near late April, freeze-up near mid November: that is the shape of an average year. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Expect Fee Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. You can camp 90 yards off, which suits an early start. 3 covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. If the gate is shut, Porridge Lake at 0.4 miles is the nearest alternative. The position on Fee Lake is worth confirming on the day.