Fishing at Whiskey Lake, Itasca County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Itasca County in Minnesota is where Whiskey Lake sits. It lies 1,375 feet above sea level. Roughly 35 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The closest town, Coleraine, is 21 miles away. Keewatin lies 23 miles off, Cohasset another 24 miles. Also worth knowing: Stumple Lake at 0.4 miles, Little Otter Lake near enough 0.6 miles, Nickel Lake at 0.7 miles, Lake Mary near enough 0.9 miles and Eagle Lake at 1 mile. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Whiskey Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Itasca County include yellow perch, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill and black crappie. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Fish Whiskey Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 4°F in January up to 66°F in July. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. Averages suggest open water from about mid April through to roughly late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. It holds true on Whiskey Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. If the gate is shut, Stumple Lake at 0.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Whiskey Lake before loading the car.