Krueger Lake in McHenry County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The McHenry County entry here is Krueger Lake, in North Dakota. Lake country bush runs right down to the water. About 974 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. The outline measures near 7.4 miles, so local knowledge counts. It ranks high for size among our McHenry County listings. For a base, Harvey sits 26 miles out. After that come Velva at 28 miles and Washburn at 41 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Krueger Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. County-wide records name white sucker, bluegill, largemouth bass and northern pike. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. The near bank of Krueger Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 69°F at the top of summer and 8°F at the bottom of winter. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. Ice usually gives way near mid April, and forms again about late November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Anyone fishing Krueger Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Should this one be busy, Ebel Lake is 2.2 miles off. For Krueger Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.