UTERLargemouth bass fishing in Minnesota freshwater
In Minnesota freshwater, largemouth bass peak June–July and September and are around May–October, spawning in June, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: On the beds in the shallow bays of the Brainerd lakes.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Largemouth bass in Minnesota freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayArrivingIce-out bays warm first — bass season and catch-and-release rules vary; check DNR.
- JuneSpawningOn the beds in the shallow bays of the Brainerd lakes.
- JulyPeak
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeakFall: big largemouth on the deep weed edges.
- OctoberAround
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish largemouth bass near Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, Leech Lake
The land of lakes: walleye, pike, muskie, perch and crappie on ten thousand lakes, half the year through the ice — Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, Leech, Red — plus the Rainy River's walleye and sturgeon.
What to use for largemouth bass
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- CrayfishHooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 45–92°F water, best at 62–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch largemouth bass in Minnesota freshwater?
Peak season is June–July and September, with fish spawning in June (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Largemouth bass are in Minnesota freshwater May–October. June: On the beds in the shallow bays of the Brainerd lakes.
Where do largemouth bass hold in Minnesota freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, pond / pit, river, creek / stream, dock / pilings — around Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, Leech Lake, Upper Red Lake, Lake Vermilion, Rainy River.
What is the best bait for largemouth bass in Minnesota freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), nightcrawlers, crayfish. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for largemouth bass in Minnesota freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Minnesota DNR) and change — read the current rule at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/fishing/index.html.
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