Placid Lake Fishing in Lake County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Lake County in Minnesota is where Placid Lake sits. Land around it is lake country bush. Surface area runs to about 15 acres — small enough to read in one session. It is a small entry by Lake County standards. The closest town, Ely, is 30 miles away. It is 101 miles to Thunder Bay, the nearest city. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Placid Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Public occurrence data for Lake County names white sucker, yellow perch, northern pike and rainbow trout. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. On Placid Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 5°F in January up to 64°F in July. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late April. The lid tends to go about late April and return around late November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Placid Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. There are toilets 0.9 miles off. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Failing this one, try Pompous Lake, 0.6 miles away. Ask locally about Placid Lake if anything is unclear.