Fishing Mud Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Mud Lake lies within the bounds of Stearns County, Minnesota. It lies 1,161 feet above sea level. At about 98 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The bank runs about 1.8 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. The closest town, Richmond, is 5.8 miles away. Beyond it, Avon at 6.2 miles and Albany at 6.7 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Mud Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Records held for Stearns County cover largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike, walleye and black crappie. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The shape of Mud Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 71°F in July and bottoms out near 10°F in January. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Break-up comes around early April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Open water usually runs from early April until about late November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. At Mud Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Parking is not close: half a mile from the bank, and no nearer option is mapped. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Clear Lake, 0.7 miles away. The position on Mud Lake is worth confirming on the day.