Reservoir Two in Itasca County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Itasca County entry here is Reservoir Two, in Minnesota. It sits at 1,401 feet above sea level. At 429 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. The shoreline runs about 5.6 miles, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. Size puts it in the front rank of our Itasca County list. The nearest town is Keewatin, 3.2 miles away. It is 165 miles to Minneapolis, the nearest city. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Reservoir Two

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Records held for Itasca County cover yellow perch, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Read Reservoir Two for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 67°F, while January sits near 5°F. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid April until roughly late November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Time your trip to Reservoir Two by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Reservoir Number Six sits 0.9 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Reservoir Two before loading the car.