Fishing Pugh Lake in Morrison County, Minnesota

• Overview

  The Morrison County entry here is Pugh Lake, in Minnesota. The surface lies 1,437 feet up. Surface area runs to about 18 acres — small enough to read in one session. Baxter sits 15 miles from here and is the nearest stop. The nearest city of size is Minneapolis, 102 miles away. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Pugh Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Across Morrison County, recorded fish include largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike and black crappie. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Pugh Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 8°F to 69°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at late November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. It holds true on Pugh Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Johnson Lake is 1 mile distant. Nothing here settles the position at Pugh Lake for certain.