the Lakes the Lakes

LAKE AUGUSTA

A favorite fishing spot for a lot of the people who live on the Clearwater Lake chain. Consistently good, year after year on opening weekend. Lake Augusta is protected from high winds by steep banks on all sides of the lake. The warm river current brings in and holds the largest fish including; Sunfish, Crappies, Walleye’s and Northern. Lake Augusta is located 3 miles NW of Annandale and spans across 187 acres. This lake also has a max depth of 82 feet and 7 feet of water clarity.

BASS LAKE

Great lake for Bass & panfish like the name implies. Also, one of the clearest lakes in the area making it harder to fish on bright, sunny days. As for Walleyes...they are few and far between, but if you catch one, it’s going to be BIG! The Northern are also better than average; not always real big, but plenty of keepers can be had if you fish the right place...keep moving around! Bass Lake is located 4 miles N of Annandale and spans across 222 acres. This lake also has a max depth of 34 feet and 15 feet of water clarity.

LAKE BETSY

Like all lakes that connect by a river, there’s a good variety of game fish. The Walleyes are what bring most people to Lake Betsy. There’s not a lot of them, but what you catch will be big! Winter ice can come early to this lake, ice anglers start here and then move to other lakes as they freeze. Panfish is the normal species early anglers are after. Lake Betsy is located 3 miles S of Kimball and spans across 153 acres. This lake also has a max depth of 29 feet and 5 feet of water clarity.

CAMP LAKE or LAKE HENRY

The “Old Timers” favorite lake when they want to catch a mess of fish. There is not a lot of competition from other anglers, just hungry locals. They say you can drop a line just about any place in the lake and catch a fish. Camp Lake warms quick in the spring, bringing the panfish into the shallows. You don’t need a big Bass boat, just bring a big fish basket. Camp Lake is located 8 miles S of Annandale and spans across 122 acres. This lake also has a max depth of 45 feet and 5 feet of water clarity.

LAKE CAROLINE

You’ll find good fishing on this lake but with limited access anglers have to get creative. Access is by the Clearwater River from Lake Augusta in a small boat or canoe. Some people float down from County Road 2 in kayaks and canoes, as there is no public access. There’s a good number of big Sunfish and Crappie year-round, and they don’t get over fished. Walleye and Northern come up the river in the spring and quite a few never go back down. The fish will stack up where the river flows in after spawning before slowly dispersing back down stream to Clearwater Lake. Lake Caroline is located 2 miles N of South Haven and spans across 135 acres. This lake also has a max depth of 45 feet and 5 feet of water clarity.

CEDAR LAKE

One of the first flour mills in the area was just off the North end of the lake on Cedar Creek around the 1800’s. Cedar Lake is deep at 108 feet but you don’t have to fish deep to find action. Use your locator and find a bump or a bar that leads away from the shore and you’ll find the fish. Some days the fish are in shallows, other days they are deep and close to a structure. Cedar Lake is located 3 miles E of Annandale and spans across 790 acres. This lake also has a max depth of 108 feet and 8 feet of water clarity.

CLEARWATER LAKE

This is the lake most people think of when you mention the town of Annandale, it’s been bringing people to the area since the 1880’s. Visitors would come by train and then take a horse and buggy to the resorts. Clearwater Lake is always a good fishing lake, but the structure will drive you crazy...bring the GPS so you can save the good spot for next year. The lake is split in the middle by a sand bar at the ‘Narrows’ and the West basin has every fish you can think of to catch. East basin has the deep bars and plenty of Walleye honey holes. If you find a map marked by an ‘Old Timer’ where to fish, hide it in your safe. Most of the landmarks on shore the old guys use are gone now, so remember to mark them on your GPS. Clearwater Lake is located 3 miles N of Annandale and spans across 3,186 acres. This Lake also has a max depth of 73 feet and 7.6 feet of water clarity on the East end and 9 feet on the West end.

EAGLE LAKE

This little lake is cherished by those that live there. With good water clarity, it’s great for swimming and fishing. A pontoon is the choice for most residents on Eagle Lake. Walleye are few but available to those that look. Northerns run small but there’s always a 30 incher or two caught every year. Sticking with panfish on this lake is a sure bet, and nice Bluegills can be found in the lily pads during the warmer months. Eagle Lake is located 7 miles NE of Maple Lake and spans across 190 acres. This lake also has a max depth of 38 feet and 10.6 feet of water clarity.

LAKE EDWARD

With no public access, Lake Edward gives the fisherman the ease to move from lake to lake in the summer and also gives them the chance to try for Walleye this lake holds. Once used as a rearing pond, Walleyes are still there and fished by winter fisherman. The DNR no longer stocks or uses the pond, but the Walleye population still survives. Lake Edward is located 5 miles SE of Annandale and spans across 92 acres with 5 feet of water clarity.

LAKE FRANCIS

This gem of a lake is on the far side of Wright County and half the lake is in Meeker County, but the fish don’t know the difference and bite equally well any place on Lake Francis. Known locally for an abundance of small ‘hammer handle’ Northern, the lake is a sleeper for that occasional big Pike that will test the limit of any fishing gear. A large population of Largemouth and a few Smallmouth in Lake Francis can also drive you crazy. Did we mention the big Sunfish? Locals get real hush-hush when they start to bite, watch for the boats that don’t move! Lake Francis is located 2 miles NE of Kingston and spans across 105.3 acres. This lake also has a max depth of 17 feet and 10 feet of water clarity.

French Lake

On opening day this lake should be on your short list. keep you busy, making French Lake an ideal lake for anglers. Crappies. While the Crappies may school close together, one isn’t biting the other will. French Lake is located 4 acres. This lake also has a max depth of 50 feet and 5 GRANITE LAKE

A lot of stories come out of Granite Lake every year of the Some anglers only fish for Northern, but size runs small Winter fisherman love this lake and keep coming back fish are biting, the anglers stay pretty quiet as to what they Annandale and spans across 362 acres. This lake also has GRASS LAKE

Grass Lake is located on the river so you never know access, a few fishermen take the time and are happy the river comes in from Clearwater Lake always has fisherman stay to the edge in the winter as the Northern in the weeds, or even that hibernating frog. Grass Lake across 71 acres. This lake also has a max depth of 35 LAKE IDA

Small but deep, clean and clear is what comes to mind variables, it adds up to good fishing. The locals keep try it out yourself. This lake is not maintained for Walleye else! Big Bass are there to be found in the evenings, Ultralights and take home a limit of Sunfish! Lake Ida across 225 acres. This lake also has a max depth of 60 INDIAN LAKE

This little jewel shouldn’t be overlooked for a day of fishing. water, you’ll find a lot of nice panfish. Crappies have Bass are always there to entertain you if the panfish Lake and spans across 139 acres. This lake also has a

LAKE JOHN

Known for its Sunfish during the winter and summer inhabit on the West side of the lake. Be sure to fish the ‘big ones’! In the past, Lake John was not known for Walleyes, presence lately and they sure like a slip bobber! If you over weeds. I caught my first Walleye here with a bright Annandale and spans across 398 acres. This lake also

LIMESTONE LAKE

This lake is a bit off the main path and is a sleeper for panfish, any time though on Limestone Lake. Occasionally you’ll won’t tell you where the hot spots are, you’ll have to find of Maple Lake and spans across 243 acres. This lake also

LAKE LOUISA & LAKE MARIE

If you fish one you might just as well fish the other. anglers, just because they taste so good and there’s plenty both lakes, try fishing any weedy edge. Catfish have are fun to catch and taste great! Lake Louisa & Lake span across 340 acres. This lakes also have a max depth

MAPLE LAKE

Always known for its great fishing, Maple Lake gets Upper Maple is a hot winter spot for panfish in the everything and just about anywhere. Northern will light, there are plenty of bruisers cruising the lake. Maple Lake and spans across 739 acres. This lake also has a

MARY LAKE

There aren’t many lakes like this one, being it’s so deep work in. First off, what are you after? Stay to the outside Walleye and Northern...go deeper. Watch the locator South side of Mary Lake when the wind is from the shore year-round. Mary Lake is located 2 miles NE of also has a max depth of 102 feet and 6 feet of water

MINK-SOMERS LAKE

Reclaimed back in 1994, the lake is making a great comeback. landing providing information on what you can keep Perch? It can be a challenge getting past the Sunfish the biggest perch in the area, but many anglers enjoy catching up and passing the states’ average size. Mink-Somers and spans across 151 acres. This lake also has a max