Fishing at Mitchell Lake, Hennepin County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Mitchell Lake is set in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Height above sea level is 866 feet. At about 121 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Some 3.6 miles of bank gives room to move when the wind turns. It lies lower than most water we list in Minnesota. The closest town, Eden Prairie, is 1.3 miles distant. It is 14 miles to Minneapolis, the nearest city. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Mitchell Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Hennepin County records list bluegill, common carp, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and black crappie among the fish reported. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Mitchell Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 73°F, while January sits near 12°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Break-up comes around early April, and the run that follows is short and strong. On average, early April opens the water and early December closes it again. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. That is the shape of the year on Mitchell Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Mapping shows a ramp about half a mile from the shore. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. Fishing from a pier is possible half a mile away. There are picnic tables recorded roughly half a mile off. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. Some banks are open only from a marked point. For a change of water, Round Lake is 0.8 miles distant. For Mitchell Lake in particular, ask before you travel.