Third Lake, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Third Lake in Cass County, Minnesota. The bank gives way to rolling bush. It measures about 38 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Nearest town is Park Rapids, 23 miles off. Then Bemidji, 31 miles, and Menahga, 31 miles. Round about: Fourth Lake a shade over 0.2 miles, Upper Fifth Lake at 0.5 miles, Lake Thirtyfour a shade over 0.7 miles, Fifth Lake at 0.8 miles and Long Lake a shade over 0.9 miles. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Third Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Species logged across Cass County include largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Third Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 68°F and January reads 5°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. The water is typically free of ice between mid April and late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. The season on Third Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Should this one be busy, Fourth Lake is 0.2 miles off. Treat Third Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.