Polander Lake in Morrison County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Polander Lake is listed under Morrison County, Minnesota. Country round the bank runs to pine and birch. It measures about 32 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The bank runs about 1.3 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. You are 12 miles from Long Prairie. Minneapolis sits 93 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Polander Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Species logged across Morrison County include largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike and black crappie. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Work Polander Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 9°F in January up to 71°F in July. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid April. Expect the water usable from around mid April until roughly late November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Polander Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Windy Lake, 1 mile away, makes the obvious fallback. None of that is settled for Polander Lake in what we hold.