Jenkins Lake, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Jenkins Lake stands in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It stands 1,207 feet above sea level. Roughly 112 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. With about 2.0 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. 14 miles away sits Aitkin, the nearest town. The nearest city of size is Minneapolis, 116 miles away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Jenkins Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Records held for Aitkin County cover northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch, black crappie and largemouth bass. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Jenkins Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 6°F in January and 68°F in July. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. Ice usually gives way near mid April, and forms again about late November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. On Jenkins Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• 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. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. For a change of water, Wilkins Lake is 1.1 miles distant. Where Jenkins Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.