Fishing at Brush Lake, McLean County, North Dakota

• Overview

  The McLean County entry here is Brush Lake, in North Dakota. Height above sea level is 1,818 feet. It runs to roughly 221 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Shoreline length is close to 5.1 miles, and each section fishes a little differently. Washburn is the closest place, 22 miles off. Beyond it, Garrison at 33 miles and Velva at 38 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Brush Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Across McLean County, recorded fish include bluegill, rainbow smelt, smallmouth bass and northern pike. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Anyone new to Brush Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 69°F and January reads 8°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid April. From about mid April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. The season on Brush Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. A boat ramp sits about half a mile from the water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. The nearest alternative is Blue Lake, 1.8 miles out. The position on Brush Lake is worth confirming on the day.