Glen Schmitt

Chisago Lake and South Lindstrom Lake border the town of Chisago City; they’re connected via a navigable channel and total nearly 1,400 acres of fishable water. While these two water bodies differ in physical characteristics such as size and depth, there’s plenty of fish movement between the lakes – so what you find in one, you’ll find in the other.

Located northwest of Duluth, Big Grand Lake is an average-sized fishery with an abundance of relatively shallow water. While there are stretches of depth in the 20-foot range, the lion’s share of its water is less than 10 feet deep.

Ask anglers from Douglas County about Lake Mary, and the vast majority of them will likely provide the same answer: It’s always been a consistent walleye and crappie producer.

Highly regarded, extremely popular, heavily fished, and an excellent all-purpose fishing lake: That’s what you have with Crow Wing County’s North Long Lake.

Located just north of Outing, Washburn Lake is nearly 1,600 acres in size and features water over 100 feet deep. The lake is somewhat unique in the sense that it consists of three very different basins that all fish differently.

Grindstone Lake isn’t just the most unique fishery in Pine County. It might be one of the most interesting lakes throughout the entire state of Minnesota. Located near Sandstone, Grindstone is a two-story lake, meaning it supports populations of both cold- and warm-water fish species.

If you wet a line in Minnesota on a regular basis, you’re probably well aware that Otter Tail County is loaded with exceptional fishing lakes. There are lakes of all sizes and varieties throughout this area, and many provide some of the best multi-species angling opportunities in the state.
Dead Lake is among them.

If you head north on Highway 53 out of Orr for about 12 miles, you’ll drive right along the northeast corner of Ash Lake. Most anglers tend to drive right past Ash, putting it in the rearview mirror as they continue on to more noted fisheries such as Kabetogama, Rainy, Namakan, and Sand Point within Voyageurs National Park.

Connected by Jack Creek, both bodies of water provide solid year-round fishing opportunities. Walleyes and crappies are the primary focus of most folks on this pair of lakes, while northern pike and channel catfish garner interest to a lesser extent..