Fishing Killroy Lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Killroy Lake is listed under Aitkin County, Minnesota. The country here is lake country bush. Small at around 13 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It is a small entry by Aitkin County standards. 9.6 miles away sits Aitkin, the nearest town. Minneapolis sits 100 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Killroy Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Aitkin County records list northern pike, bluegill and yellow perch among the fish reported. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Killroy Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 6°F and July at about 68°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. Climate figures give an open season running mid April to late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Killroy Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. Ripple River Wildlife Management Area, East Unit takes in this water; protected-area rules will apply. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Lingroth Lake, 2.4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position at Killroy Lake before loading the car.