Rat Lake near Windom: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Look for Rat Lake in the Cottonwood County part of Minnesota. Everything around it is pine and birch. It runs to roughly 96 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. There is roughly 1.5 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. The nearest town is Windom, 7.6 miles away. Mountain Lake is 7.6 miles and Springfield 19 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Rat Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Species logged across Cottonwood County include common carp, walleye, black bullhead, yellow perch and black crappie. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. The shape of Rat Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 12°F in January to roughly 72°F in July. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Once it clears, about early April, the fishing comes on quickly. Ice usually gives way near early April, and forms again about late November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. It holds true on Rat Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Delft Wildlife Management Area runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Maiden Lake is 2.5 miles off. The position on Rat Lake is worth confirming on the day.