Fishing Lake Jane in Washington County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Lake Jane lies within the bounds of Washington County, Minnesota. The setting is rolling bush. Surface area is around 155 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. The edge runs 2.0 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. It is among the larger waters listed here for Washington County. Lake Elmo is the closest place, 2.5 miles off. The big place round here is Saint Paul, 9.9 miles distant. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Lake Jane

  Charted depth runs to roughly 44 feet at its lowest. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. County-wide records name bluegill, largemouth bass, brown trout, northern pike and black crappie. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Fish Lake Jane to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 72°F and January about 12°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early April. Ice usually gives way near early April, and forms again about early December. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. That is the shape of the year on Lake Jane.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. You can launch: the ramp is half a mile away. Mapping shows parking within half a mile. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Lake Olson, 1 mile away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm before you fish Lake Jane.