Fishing at James Lake, Saint Louis County, Minnesota

• Overview

  James Lake is a Saint Louis County water, Minnesota side. The water sits 1,499 feet up. At 15 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Our Saint Louis County list holds plenty of bigger water. Two Harbors is the closest town at 16 miles. It is 146 miles to Thunder Bay, the nearest city. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on James Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Saint Louis County records list yellow perch, northern pike and white sucker among the fish reported. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. The near bank of James Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 5°F to 65°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. The water is typically free of ice between late April and late November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. That is the shape of the year on James Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is White Lake, 0.6 miles out. Nothing on James Lake should be assumed from this page alone.