Lake Simon near Benson: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Lake Simon lies in Swift County, in Minnesota. It stands 1,073 feet above sea level. At 560 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. The outline measures near 4.0 miles, so local knowledge counts. It ranks high for size among our Swift County listings. Some 15 miles away sits Benson, the nearest settlement. Glenwood lies 16 miles off, Starbuck another 17 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Lake Simon

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Reported across Swift County: common carp, yellow perch, black crappie, walleye and northern pike. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Read Lake Simon for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 71°F in July and bottoms out near 10°F in January. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about early April. Ice usually gives way near early April, and forms again about late November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. On Lake Simon that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. 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. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Goose Lake sits 1.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat Lake Simon as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.