Fishing Lily Lake in Washington County, Minnesota

• Overview

  In Minnesota, Lily Lake belongs to Washington County. The water sits 837 feet up. It runs to roughly 40 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. About 1.0 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. It is low-lying compared with other Minnesota water we list. The closest town, Stillwater, is 1 mile away. Oak Park Heights lies 1.9 miles off, Bayport another 2.8 miles. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Lily Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. 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. Records held for Washington County cover bluegill, largemouth bass and brown trout. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. At Lily Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 72°F, while January sits near 13°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early April. Ice clears near early April and comes back about early December in a typical year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. The season on Lily Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. A toilet block sits half a mile away. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Lake McKusick is 1 mile off. Confirm access to Lily Lake locally before you travel.