Fishing Round Lake in Becker County, Minnesota

• Overview

  In Minnesota, Round Lake belongs to Becker County. It sits at 1,486 feet above sea level. It measures some 1,090 acres, and wind has room to build across it. With 5.2 miles or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. Size puts it in the front rank of our Becker County list. Supplies mean a trip to Detroit Lakes, 21 miles off. For a city, Fargo is 60 miles off. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Round Lake

  The charted maximum sits at about 78 feet. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Reported across Becker County: bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike and yellow perch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Round Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 67°F and January near 4°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about mid November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. That is the shape of the year on Round Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Mapping shows a jetty some half a mile off. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Failing this one, try Bush Lake, 1.2 miles away. Check the current arrangement for Round Lake.