School Lake Fishing near Montgomery, Minnesota

• Overview

  School Lake sits within Le Sueur County in Minnesota. It sits in pine and birch country. It measures some 258 acres, and wind has room to build across it. Montgomery sits 4.4 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Minneapolis sits 40 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on School Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Across Le Sueur County, recorded fish include common carp, bluegill, largemouth bass and walleye. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. School Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 71°F for July and 11°F for January. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Break-up comes around early April, and the run that follows is short and strong. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early April and starts locking again about late November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. It sets the rhythm of the year at School Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. Bardel's Marsh Wildlife Management Area runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. The nearest alternative is Mary Lake, 1.9 miles out. Rules at School Lake are worth checking on the day.