Fishing Slough Lake in Becker County, Minnesota

• Overview

  In Minnesota, Slough Lake belongs to Becker County. Elevation runs to 1,329 feet. It runs to roughly 31 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. With about 1.0 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. Detroit Lakes is the closest town at 3.4 miles. Beyond it, Frazee at 8.3 miles and Pelican Rapids at 17 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Slough Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Becker County records list bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike and yellow perch among the fish reported. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Take Slough Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 69°F in July and bottom out at 5°F in January. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about late November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. It sets the rhythm of the year at Slough Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. There is a jetty half a mile off, worth knowing on a busy day. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Glawe Lake, 0.5 miles away. Confirm before you fish Slough Lake.