Fishing at Wards Lake, Anoka County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Anoka County in Minnesota is where Wards Lake sits. The surface lies 869 feet up. The water measures roughly 16 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. It is a small entry by Anoka County standards. The nearest town is Lino Lakes, 0.6 miles away. Centerville is 1.4 miles and Circle Pines 3.4 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Wards Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Across Anoka County, recorded fish include bluegill, common carp, black crappie and largemouth bass. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Wards Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• 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. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early April. Ice clears near early April and comes back about early December in a typical year. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. The season on Wards Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. A launch point is recorded some half a mile off. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. There are picnic tables recorded roughly 0.9 miles off. There are toilets half a mile off. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Sherman Lake sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Wards Lake are worth checking on the day.