Fishing Lake Mary in Pope County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Lake Mary is a Pope County water, in Minnesota. It lies 1,220 feet above sea level. Surface area is around 103 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. Supplies mean a trip to Starbuck, 6.5 miles off. Then Glenwood, 8.2 miles, and Benson, 17 miles. Water in the same corner: Celia Lake 0.6 miles, Nelson Lake out at 1 mile, Lake Jennum 1.2 miles, Helle Lake out at 2.2 miles and Lake Ben 2.2 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lake Mary

  We hold no depth figure for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Across Pope County, recorded fish include largemouth bass, common carp, northern pike and yellow perch. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Lake Mary a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 71°F and January near 10°F on the long-run figures. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early April. Climate figures give an open season running early April to late November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. It holds true on Lake Mary more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. For a change of water, Celia Lake is 0.6 miles distant. Where Lake Mary is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.