Rivalry Lake in Lake County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Rivalry Lake is one of the Lake County waters in Minnesota. The land about it is lake country bush. At roughly 5 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. On size it sits at the modest end of our Lake County list. Ely sits 39 miles from here and is the nearest stop. It is 87 miles to Thunder Bay, the nearest city. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Rivalry Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Across Lake County, recorded fish include white sucker, yellow perch, northern pike, rainbow trout and walleye. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Rivalry Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 65°F in July and bottom out at 4°F in January. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late April. Ice clears near late April and comes back about late November in a typical year. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Time your trip to Rivalry Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. If the gate is shut, Glen Lake at 0.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Signs at Rivalry Lake carry more weight than any list.