Fishing Midget Lake in Cook County, Minnesota

• Overview

  In Minnesota, Midget Lake falls inside Cook County. The surroundings are pine and birch. About 22 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It sits higher than most water we list in Minnesota. Start from Grand Marais, 21 miles down the road. Silver Bay follows at 45 miles, then Ely at 51 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Midget Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Records held for Cook County cover white sucker, yellow perch, northern pike and rainbow trout. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At Midget Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 63°F, while January sits near 5°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. From about late April to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Expect Midget Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Petit Lake sits 0.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Midget Lake before loading the car.