Heffron Lake Fishing near Crosslake, Minnesota

• Overview

  Heffron Lake lies in Cass County, in Minnesota. It sits at 1,342 feet above sea level. The water covers some 54 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. A shoreline of some 1.0 miles keeps the choices simple. 20 miles away sits Crosslake, the nearest town. For a city, Fargo is 121 miles off. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Heffron Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Cass County records list largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, walleye and northern pike among the fish reported. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Anyone new to Heffron Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 68°F at the top of summer and 6°F at the bottom of winter. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Time your trip to Heffron Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Hunter Lake, 1 mile out. Treat Heffron Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.