Saint Marys Lake in Traverse County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Saint Marys Lake is a Traverse County water, Minnesota side. The ground round it is rolling bush. This is sizeable water at about 285 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. The margin runs to about 3.5 miles in total. You are 13 miles from Wheaton. The nearest city of size is Fargo, 88 miles away. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Saint Marys Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Reported across Traverse County: common carp, northern pike, walleye and white bass. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Saint Marys Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 72°F and January near 10°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early April. Averages suggest open water from about early April through to roughly late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. It sets the rhythm of the year at Saint Marys Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Smithwicks Lake, 2.7 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. None of that is settled for Saint Marys Lake in what we hold.