Little Ganz Lake, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Little Ganz Lake stands in Morrison County, Minnesota. The surface lies 1,201 feet up. The water measures roughly 16 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. 13 miles away sits Long Prairie, the nearest town. Beyond it, Little Falls at 14 miles and Royalton at 16 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Little Ganz Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Across Morrison County, recorded fish include largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike, black crappie and yellow perch. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Little Ganz Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 71°F and January near 9°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. The season on Little Ganz Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Clare Johnson - Carl W. Schmidt Wildlife Management Area, Large Marsh Unit covers ground next to the water; its rules will apply on that side. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Ganz Lake, 0.5 miles away. Check the position at Little Ganz Lake before loading the car.