Makwa Lake, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Lake County entry here is Makwa Lake, in Minnesota. The country here is mixed forest. Surface area is around 134 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. Bank access stretches around 1.9 miles in total. Compared with other Minnesota water on our list, it sits high. Grand Marais lies 38 miles from the water. The nearest city of size is Thunder Bay, 88 miles away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Makwa Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Across Lake County, recorded fish include white sucker, yellow perch and northern pike. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Anyone new to Makwa Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 64°F at the top of summer and 4°F at the bottom of winter. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Winter locks it down, and late April brings it back. On average, late April opens the water and mid November closes it again. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Time your trip to Makwa Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. 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. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. The nearest alternative is Birl Lake, 0.6 miles out. Check the position at Makwa Lake before loading the car.