Sunfish Lake, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Sunfish Lake sits in Washington County, out in Minnesota. This is lake country bush country. It is low-lying compared with other Minnesota water we list. Head to Lake Elmo, 2.4 miles away, for anything you forgot. Oakdale is 4.7 miles and Lakeland 5.1 miles. In the same area: Horseshoe Lake within 0.5 miles, Downs Lake just 1.4 miles, Lake Elmo within 1.6 miles, Goose Lake just 1.8 miles and Margaret Lake within 1.8 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Sunfish Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records held for Washington County cover bluegill, largemouth bass and brown trout. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Fish Sunfish Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 72°F for July and 12°F for January. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Count the season from break-up, usually early April. Open water usually runs from early April until about early December. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. It sets the rhythm of the year at Sunfish Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Mapping shows parking within half a mile. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Horseshoe Lake at 0.5 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat access at Sunfish Lake as something to verify.