Head Lake in Beltrami County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Head Lake falls in Beltrami County, part of Minnesota. Height above sea level is 1,289 feet. With some 27 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The whole outline is near 0.9 miles, and most of it is walkable. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Beltrami County. The nearest town is Redby, 4.5 miles away. The nearest city of size is Fargo, 111 miles away. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Head Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records held for Beltrami County cover walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, largemouth bass and white sucker. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. The near bank of Head Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 3°F in January up to 67°F in July. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid April. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about mid November in an average year. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Head Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Gibibwisher Lake is 0.7 miles off. Treat access at Head Lake as something to verify.