McKay Lake, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  McKay Lake is one of the Anoka County listings for Minnesota. It lies 869 feet above sea level. With some 27 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. By elevation it sits in the lower part of our Minnesota listings. 2.4 miles away sits Andover, the nearest town. For a city, Minneapolis is 15 miles off. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on McKay Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Fish documented in Anoka County include bluegill, common carp, black crappie, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Read McKay Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 72°F; by January the average is down near 12°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early April. On average, early April opens the water and late November closes it again. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. It holds true on McKay Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Parking is mapped about half a mile from the bank. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Crooked Lake, 2.8 miles away. Check the position at McKay Lake before loading the car.