Guard Lake, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Guard Lake is one of the Cook County listings for Minnesota. It lies 1,886 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 23 acres — small enough to read in one session. Compared with other Minnesota water on our list, it sits high. For supplies, Grand Marais is 27 miles out. The nearest city of size is Thunder Bay, 78 miles away. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Guard Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Species logged across Cook County include white sucker, yellow perch, northern pike and rainbow trout. The county list is broader than any single water. Read Guard Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 63°F and January reads 5°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late April. The lid tends to go about late April and return around mid November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Expect Guard Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. A campsite lies half a mile away for anyone staying over. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Wing Lake, 0.3 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Rules at Guard Lake are worth checking on the day.