Fishing at Rodgers Lake, Morrison County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Rodgers Lake is one of the Morrison County waters in Minnesota. Land around it is mixed forest. Roughly 131 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The edge runs 2.2 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. It ranks high for size among our Morrison County listings. Staples lies 11 miles from the water. For a city, Minneapolis is 109 miles off. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Rodgers Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Species logged across Morrison County include largemouth bass, bluegill and northern pike. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Work Rodgers Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 8°F and July at about 69°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. Ice usually gives way near mid April, and forms again about late November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. At Rodgers Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. The nearest alternative is Little Cranberry Lake, 0.9 miles out. For Rodgers Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.