Fishing Bacon Lake in Rolette County, North Dakota

• Overview

  The Rolette County end of North Dakota holds Bacon Lake. The bank is 2,096 feet above sea level. With some 73 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. For a base, Bottineau sits 16 miles out. Winnipeg is the closest city, 149 miles away. Near neighbours: Lagerquist Lake 0.6 miles off, Gordon Lake roughly 1.1 miles, Peterson Lake 1.7 miles off, Berry Lake roughly 2.1 miles and Willow Lake 2.1 miles off. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Bacon Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Fish documented in Rolette County include bluegill, northern pike, white bass and yellow perch. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Bacon Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 65°F; by January the average is down near 1°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late April. The open-water window runs from around late April to about mid November in an average year. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Expect Bacon Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Lagerquist Lake is 0.6 miles distant. Ask locally about Bacon Lake if anything is unclear.