Hartley Lake near Keewatin: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  In Minnesota, Hartley Lake falls inside Itasca County. The country round it is pine and birch from end to end. The water covers around 290 acres, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. The edge covers about 3.7 miles, enough to hold several distinct areas. On our Itasca County list it sits near the top for size. Some 15 miles away sits Keewatin, the nearest settlement. Coleraine lies 19 miles off, Hibbing another 20 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Hartley Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Public occurrence data for Itasca County names yellow perch, largemouth bass and northern pike. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Hartley Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 5°F to 66°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid April. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. On Hartley Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Should this one be busy, Someman Lake is 1.1 miles off. The position on Hartley Lake is worth confirming on the day.