Fishing Lac La Belle in Carlton County, Minnesota

• Overview

  In Minnesota, Lac La Belle falls inside Carlton County. What surrounds it is pine and birch. The water covers some 28 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. A shoreline of some 1.1 miles keeps the choices simple. Carlton lies 4.3 miles from the water. Saint Paul is the closest city, 119 miles away. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Lac La Belle

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Records held for Carlton County cover bluegill, yellow perch, black crappie, largemouth bass and northern pike. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Lac La Belle that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 67°F in July and bottom out at 8°F in January. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Ice-out usually falls in mid April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. From about mid April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Plan any trip to Lac La Belle around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Venoah Lake sits 1.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Lac La Belle are worth checking on the day.