Fishing Gertrude Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Gertrude Lake sits in Otter Tail County, out in Minnesota. The land about it is lake country bush. At roughly 22 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is a small entry by Otter Tail County standards. The nearest place of any size is Frazee, 3 miles away. After that come Perham at 8.2 miles and Detroit Lakes at 12 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Gertrude Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Survey and observation records for Otter Tail County include largemouth bass, black crappie and walleye. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Gertrude Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 5°F and July at about 69°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid April until roughly late November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. At Gertrude Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. No slipway, car park or made path shows up nearby in mapping, so treat access as rough. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Should this one be busy, Keyes Lake is 0.6 miles off. What applies at Gertrude Lake may have changed since it was mapped.