Fishing Guernsey Lake in Todd County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Todd County, Minnesota, is where Guernsey Lake sits. The surface lies 1,227 feet up. At about 132 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The bank runs about 2.2 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Osakis sits 6.3 miles from the bank. After that come Sauk Centre at 7.6 miles and Long Prairie at 13 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Guernsey Lake

  Published depth figures reach 18 feet at the lowest point. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Fish documented in Todd County include largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, northern pike and yellow perch. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Guernsey Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 71°F and January near 9°F on the long-run figures. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. Averages suggest open water from about mid April through to roughly late November. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. The season on Guernsey Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. 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, William Lake at 1.3 miles is the nearest alternative. For Guernsey Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.