Ham Lake near Staples: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  The Morrison County end of Minnesota holds Ham Lake. The surface lies 1,257 feet up. It measures about 38 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Staples at 13 miles is the nearest place to stop. Minneapolis sits 107 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Ham Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Public occurrence data for Morrison County names largemouth bass, bluegill and northern pike. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Ham Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 8°F to 69°F. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid April. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid April in spring and again near late November in autumn. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Anyone fishing Ham Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Should this one be busy, Fish Trap Lake is 1.6 miles off. Signs at Ham Lake carry more weight than any list.