Fishing at Little Wasson Lake, Itasca County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Minnesota holds Little Wasson Lake, in Itasca County. The water sits 1,371 feet up. Small at around 17 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Most waters listed here for Itasca County are larger. Keewatin lies 20 miles from the water. The big place round here is Fargo, 170 miles distant. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Little Wasson Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Reported across Itasca County: yellow perch, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill and black crappie. The county list is broader than any single water. Little Wasson Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 66°F and January near 5°F on the long-run figures. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Plan any trip to Little Wasson Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Bass Lake, 0.8 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. For Little Wasson Lake in particular, ask before you travel.