Fishing at Lake Ten, Clay County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Lake Ten falls in Clay County, part of Minnesota. It sits at 1,302 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 135 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The edge covers about 3.8 miles, enough to hold several distinct areas. It is among the larger waters listed here for Clay County. The closest town, Hawley, is 8.1 miles away. The nearest city of size is Fargo, 27 miles away. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Lake Ten

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Survey and observation records for Clay County include bluegill, yellow perch and black crappie. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. At Lake Ten the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 69°F in July and bottom out at 5°F in January. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. On Lake Ten the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. There is a slipway on the shore, half a mile from the water we list. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. If the gate is shut, Lake Fifteen at 0.7 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Lake Ten before loading the car.