Pistol Lake Fishing near Crosslake, Minnesota

• Overview

  Out in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, sits Pistol Lake. The ground around here is lake country bush. It measures about 76 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The edge runs 1.5 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Supplies mean a trip to Crosslake, 11 miles off. Beyond it, Breezy Point at 17 miles and Pequot Lakes at 18 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Pistol Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Crow Wing County records list largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch and northern pike among the fish reported. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Pistol Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 6°F in January and 68°F in July. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Count the season from break-up, usually mid April. Expect the water usable from around mid April until roughly late November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. That shapes the year on Pistol Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. For a change of water, Second Dog Lake is 1.7 miles distant. Check the position on Pistol Lake before loading the car.