Fishdance Lake in Lake County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Fishdance Lake is one of the Lake County listings for Minnesota. The bank is 1,542 feet above sea level. The water covers some 205 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The shoreline runs about 7.2 miles, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. It ranks high for size among our Lake County listings. The closest town, Ely, is 31 miles away. After that come Babbitt at 37 miles and Grand Marais at 42 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Fishdance Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Records held for Lake County cover white sucker, yellow perch and northern pike. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. At Fishdance Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 64°F in July and bottoms out near 4°F in January. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Ice-out usually falls in late April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Climate averages put the opening at about late April and the closing near mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. It sets the rhythm of the year at Fishdance Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is a campsite half a mile from the water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Should this one be busy, Screamer Lake is 1.2 miles off. Rules at Fishdance Lake are worth checking on the day.