Upper Dean Lake Fishing in Crow Wing County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Upper Dean Lake sits within Crow Wing County in Minnesota. Beyond the shoreline you have pine and birch. Roughly 249 acres of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. With about 2.7 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. Few waters listed in Crow Wing County are bigger. Crosslake lies 11 miles from the water. After that come Aitkin at 11 miles and Crosby at 11 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Upper Dean Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Records held for Crow Wing County cover largemouth bass, bluegill and yellow perch. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. At Upper Dean Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 68°F and January reads 7°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid April. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near late November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. On Upper Dean Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. You can launch from a ramp around half a mile away. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Thompson Lake sits 0.9 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Upper Dean Lake are worth checking on the day.