Fishing Hougland Lake in Becker County, Minnesota

• Overview

  In Minnesota, Hougland Lake falls inside Becker County. The bank is 1,358 feet above sea level. The water covers some 53 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The bank runs about 1.1 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Nearest town is Detroit Lakes, 12 miles off. It is 34 miles to Fargo, the nearest city. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Hougland Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Becker County records list bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye and northern pike among the fish reported. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. At Hougland Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 69°F, with January the cold end at about 5°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. After mid April the shallows warm and the fish move up. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about late November in an average year. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Hougland Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. The water borders Severson Lake WPA, so reserve rules are likely to apply. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Failing this one, try Mollar Lake, 0.9 miles away. Confirm access to Hougland Lake locally before you travel.