Fishing at Ragged Lake, Beltrami County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Ragged Lake lies within the bounds of Beltrami County, Minnesota. The setting is lake country bush. This is a pocket water of some 13 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Most waters listed here for Beltrami County are larger. The closest town, Bemidji, is 14 miles away. Beyond it, Little Rock at 16 miles and Red Lake at 16 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Ragged Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Public occurrence data for Beltrami County names walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, largemouth bass and white sucker. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. At Ragged Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 67°F for July and 3°F for January. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. The lid tends to go about mid April and return around mid November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. It sets the rhythm of the year at Ragged Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Parking is not close: half a mile from the bank, and no nearer option is mapped. James B. Fern Wildlife Management Area runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Lake Erick sits 1 mile off and takes the overflow. Treat Ragged Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.