Fishing at Little Leighton Lake, Cass County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Little Leighton Lake is set in Cass County, Minnesota. Elevation runs to 1,280 feet. It runs to roughly 41 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. About 1.3 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. The nearest place of any size is Cohasset, 7 miles away. The big place round here is Fargo, 145 miles distant. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Little Leighton Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for Cass County include largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill and walleye. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Read Little Leighton Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 67°F and January at 5°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid April until roughly late November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Little Leighton Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Leighton Lake at 0.7 miles is the sensible second choice. For Little Leighton Lake in particular, ask before you travel.