Fishing Lake Shaokatan in Lincoln County, Minnesota

• Overview

  In Minnesota, Lake Shaokatan falls inside Lincoln County. The water sits 1,772 feet up. Roughly 971 acres of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. With 6.4 miles or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. By size it stands out even at Minnesota level. For a base, Tyler sits 14 miles out. Minneota is 21 miles and Canby 21 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lake Shaokatan

  The basin drops to a measured 12 feet. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. County-wide records name common carp, yellow perch, walleye and black bullhead. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The near bank of Lake Shaokatan is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 71°F in July and bottom out at 11°F in January. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early April. From about early April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Lake Shaokatan fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. You can launch from a ramp around half a mile away. Overnight stays are possible half a mile away. Suhr Wildlife Management Area takes in this water; protected-area rules will apply. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. If the gate is shut, Ash Lake at 3.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat Lake Shaokatan as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.