Nottage Lake in Becker County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In Minnesota, Nottage Lake belongs to Becker County. This is mixed forest country. The water covers some 67 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. About 1.2 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. Nearest town is Detroit Lakes, 4.7 miles off. The nearest city of size is Fargo, 45 miles away. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Nottage Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Reported across Becker County: bluegill, largemouth bass and walleye. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Treat Nottage Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 5°F in January up to 69°F in July. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid April. On average, mid April opens the water and late November closes it again. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. It sets the rhythm of the year at Nottage Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. There is a pier recorded roughly half a mile away. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Meadow Lake sits 0.8 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the current arrangement for Nottage Lake.