Lake Shemahgun Fishing in Beltrami County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Out in Beltrami County, Minnesota, sits Lake Shemahgun. It sits in rolling bush country. The water covers some 59 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Bank access stretches around 1.5 miles in total. For a base, Redby sits 2.1 miles out. It is 110 miles to Fargo, the nearest city. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Lake Shemahgun

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in Beltrami County include walleye, yellow perch, northern pike and largemouth bass. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. The shape of Lake Shemahgun rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 67°F and January at 4°F. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late April. Climate figures give an open season running late April to late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lake Shemahgun.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping shows a ramp about half a mile from the shore. A platform or pier sits within half a mile. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. The nearest alternative is Heart Lake, 0.6 miles out. Treat access at Lake Shemahgun as something to verify.