Mud Lake Fishing in McLean County, North Dakota

• Overview

  Mud Lake is set in McLean County, North Dakota. Elevation runs to 1,831 feet. At 287 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. Garrison lies 20 miles from the water. Beyond it, Washburn at 22 miles and Velva at 31 miles. Round about: Lake Nettie at about 1.4 miles, Crooked Lake within 2.4 miles, Turtle Lake at about 4.9 miles, Cherry Lake within 5.7 miles and Lake Brekken at about 6 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Mud Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in McLean County include bluegill, rainbow smelt and smallmouth bass. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Mud Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 8°F in January to roughly 69°F in July. Hard water is a season in its own right here. After mid April the shallows warm and the fish move up. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about late November in an average year. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. It sets the rhythm of the year at Mud Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Lake Nettie, 1.4 miles out. None of that is settled for Mud Lake in what we hold.