Little Bass Lake Fishing near Crosslake, Minnesota

• Overview

  Minnesota holds Little Bass Lake, in Cass County. This is pine and birch ground. Roughly 134 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The full circuit measures close to 2.5 miles on foot. Start from Crosslake, 21 miles down the road. Further out sit Breezy Point (27 miles) and Cohasset (28 miles). It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Little Bass Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Records held for Cass County cover largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, walleye and northern pike. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The near bank of Little Bass Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 67°F and January about 6°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. After mid April the shallows warm and the fish move up. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about late November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. The season on Little Bass Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Upper Trelipe Lake at 1.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to Little Bass Lake locally before you travel.