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

• Overview

  The Lake County entry here is Fishgig Lake, in Minnesota. The water sits 1,693 feet up. Small at around 15 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Lake County. Nearest place of any size is Grand Marais, 34 miles away. Ely lies 45 miles off, Babbitt another 53 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Fishgig Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Lake County: white sucker, yellow perch and northern pike. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Fishgig Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 4°F in January and 64°F in July. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Break-up comes around late April, and the run that follows is short and strong. In an average year the thaw lands around late April and the freeze near mid November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Fishgig Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Overnight stays are possible about half a mile out, where camping is mapped. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Gillis Lake is 0.8 miles off. Ask locally about Fishgig Lake if anything is unclear.