Granning Lake, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Wadena County, Minnesota, is where Granning Lake sits. The surface lies 1,312 feet up. About 13 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is a small entry by Wadena County standards. Some 16 miles away sits Menahga, the nearest settlement. Beyond it, Staples at 16 miles and Wadena at 17 miles. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Granning Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Wadena County records list black crappie, northern pike and largemouth bass among the fish reported. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Granning Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 6°F to 68°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about late November. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. The season on Granning Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Parking is close: a car park sits half a mile from the bank. Strike Wildlife Management Area takes in this water; protected-area rules will apply. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. If the gate is shut, Strike Lake at 0.7 miles is the nearest alternative. Signs at Granning Lake carry more weight than any list.