Fishing Flanders Lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Flanders Lake belongs to Crow Wing County, Minnesota. Elevation runs to 1,198 feet. It measures about 79 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The whole outline is near 1.7 miles, and most of it is walkable. Nearest place of any size is Crosslake, 4.4 miles away. After that come Breezy Point at 6.4 miles and Crosby at 10 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Flanders Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. County-wide records name largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, northern pike and pumpkinseed. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Flanders Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 8°F in January to roughly 69°F in July. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid April until roughly late November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Flanders Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. If the gate is shut, Mud Lake at 0.9 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to Flanders Lake locally before you travel.