Skinaway Lake, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Out in Mahnomen County, Minnesota, sits Skinaway Lake. It sits at 1,729 feet above sea level. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Minnesota listings. For supplies, Bagley is 19 miles out. The big place round here is Fargo, 65 miles distant. Within easy reach: Terway Lake within 0.4 miles, Franta Lake 0.7 miles away, Sargeant Lake within 1.1 miles, Horseshoe Lake 1.2 miles away and Norris Lake within 1.3 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Skinaway Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Mahnomen County records list rainbow trout, white sucker, northern pike, bluegill and yellow perch among the fish reported. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. At Skinaway Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 67°F and January near 4°F on the long-run figures. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Winter locks it down, and mid April brings it back. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about mid November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. The season on Skinaway Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Some banks are open only from a marked point. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. The nearest alternative is Terway Lake, 0.4 miles out. Signs at Skinaway Lake carry more weight than any list.