Fishing at Volden Lake, Polk County, Minnesota

• Overview

  The Polk County entry here is Volden Lake, in Minnesota. The water sits 1,296 feet up. The water covers some 32 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Fosston is the closest place, 2.1 miles off. Beyond it, Bagley at 16 miles and Mahnomen at 23 miles. Also within reach: Third Lake 1.4 miles away, Second Lake roughly 1.5 miles, First Lake 1.6 miles away, Lee Lake roughly 2 miles and Haslie Lake 2.1 miles away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Volden Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. County-wide records name yellow perch, brown bullhead, white sucker and northern pike. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Volden Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 68°F, while January sits near 3°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid April. The lid tends to go about mid April and return around mid November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. On Volden Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Pike mean a wire trace, no exceptions; big spoons and jerkbaits do the searching. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. For a change of water, Third Lake is 1.4 miles distant. Confirm access to Volden Lake locally before you travel.