Willow Lake near Moose Lake: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Look for Willow Lake in Pine County, Minnesota. It sits at 1,076 feet above sea level. The water measures roughly 24 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Some 8.9 miles away sits Moose Lake, the nearest settlement. For a city, Minneapolis is 97 miles off. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Willow Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. 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. Reported across Pine County: northern pike, bluegill and largemouth bass. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. The shape of Willow Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 67°F, the coldest about 8°F. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Plan around that when you fish Willow Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. For a change of water, Big Slough Lake is 2.3 miles distant. For Willow Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.