Fishing at Mule John Lake, Clearwater County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Mule John Lake is one of the Clearwater County listings for Minnesota. What surrounds it is rolling bush. Around 38 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. Fosston sits 8.8 miles from the bank. Fargo is the closest city, 77 miles away. Nearby alternatives: Underberg Lake lies 0.7 miles on, Sand Lake within 1 mile, Camp Lake lies 1.5 miles on, Cross Lake within 2.1 miles and Pike Lake lies 2.3 miles on. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Mule John Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Survey and observation records for Clearwater County include bluegill, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and walleye. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. On Mule John Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 3°F in January to roughly 68°F in July. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid April. The season between ice runs from about mid April to mid November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. The season on Mule John Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Mulejohn Wildlife Management Area covers ground next to the water; its rules will apply on that side. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Underberg Lake sits 0.7 miles off and takes the overflow. Where Mule John Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.