Fox Lake Fishing in Pine County, Minnesota

• Overview

  The Pine County entry here is Fox Lake, in Minnesota. It lies 1,060 feet above sea level. Around 184 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. Shoreline comes to about 2.4 miles, small enough to learn in a day. On our Pine County list it sits near the top for size. Moose Lake lies 12 miles from the water. Minneapolis sits 94 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Fox Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. County-wide records name northern pike, bluegill, largemouth bass and black crappie. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Fox Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 68°F on average, January about 8°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid April. From about mid April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. It holds true on Fox Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Failing this one, try Mud Lake, 0.8 miles away. Signs at Fox Lake carry more weight than any list.