Holmes City Lake, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Holmes City Lake sits within Douglas County in Minnesota. It stands 1,375 feet above sea level. Roughly 76 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Alexandria lies 11 miles from the water. The nearest city of size is Fargo, 91 miles away. In the same area: Lake Oscar 0.6 miles away, Thompson Lake 0.9 miles off, North Lake Oscar 1.1 miles away, Brandon Lake 1.2 miles off and Kron Lakes 1.5 miles away. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Holmes City Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. County-wide records name largemouth bass, common carp, bluegill, yellow perch and northern pike. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Holmes City Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 70°F, the coldest about 8°F. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. The water is typically free of ice between mid April and late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Holmes City Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. There is a pier recorded roughly half a mile away. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. For a change of water, Lake Oscar is 0.6 miles distant. Treat Holmes City Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.