Green Lake, Spicer Minnesota
North Country Fishing Guide Service takes many of their guided fishing trips on Green Lake at Spicer. Green Lake is the largest body of water in the area. The clean, deep waters of Green Lake are home to many species of fish. The walleye population on Green Lake has roared back in the last year due to tremendous stocking efforts by the DNR. The best year classes seem to be from 2003 and 2004. Most walleyes from the class of the 2003 will reach a decent 15-16 inch size by summer 2008. There are very good numbers of walleyes in the 20- to 23-inch range. Every year we catch and release walleyes in the 5-8 pound class.
The abundant walleye are the most sought after game fish, but Green Lake's large population of smallmouth bass makes it one of the premier smallmouth bass lakes in Minnesota. Three-pound plus smallies are the norm here. These feisty critters provide many of our guests a tussle they haven't experienced before. Nearly every trip results in a trophy-sized fish for one or more of our guests.
In 2006, the special regulations for smallmouth bass on Green Lake were taken off. The locals successfully lobbied the DNR to remove the regs because the lake was deemed over-populated with bass. Anglers are now allowed to keep bass of any size. The largest smallmouth we boated in 2007 was a 21-inch, 5+ pound beauty which we released; but we had many in the 19-20" range. We heard of a 23-1/2 inch smallmouth caught and released in Green Lake during the summer of 2007.
Northern pike regulations on Green Lake have also been removed. Years of limited harvest resulted in a substantial population of quality fish reaching well over 20 pounds, with 10 pound-plus fish common. Speed-trolling during the hottest part of the summer, mid-July through August, produces the best action.
Mid-May until mid-July, September and October are the best months for walleye. October of 2007 was by far the best walleye fishing we have had in several years. We had days that we boated over 30 walleyes. Fall of 2008 should be awesome, if Fall of 2007 was any indicator.
Smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing is good from June until late October. August was the peak month for smallmouth and northern pike in 2007.
Green Lake offers good dock fishing for largemouth bass, monster catfish, and a few muskies.
Spicer, Minnesota is a great place to bring the family. Saulsbury Beach in Spicer offers swimming, picnicking, boat launch, and nearby restaurants. Lions Park in downtown Spicer has a huge playground for kids, a picnic shelter, and fishing pier. Every year Spicer holds one of the largest 4th of July celebrations in Minnesota with a large parade, street dance, and flea market (fishing can be very good too).
Kandiyohi County Park #5 located on the northeast side of Green Lake has a large campground with full hook-ups, sandy beach, boat launch, store, and play area.
A new RV Park, WestRich RV Park & Campground, was built less than a mile west of Spicer on County Road 10 in 2007. They have full hook-ups, swimming pool, wading pool, playground, and beautiful environmental lakeshore.
Honorable Mention:
Lake Andrew
Lake Andrew west of New London is a bass fisherman's paradise. This lake offers a wide variety of bass habitat-pads, reeds, docks, and deep weeds. Most largemouth bass are in the 2-3 pound class, but fish in the 5-pound range are common. Lake Andrew has decent population of walleye. The best walleye action is from Opener until Mid-June. The panfish action is excellent both for size and quantity. Slab crappies up to 17" are caught in early spring. We have on occasion taken nice limits of walleyes here in the early season and Fall.
Sibley State Park on the north shore of Lake Andrew is one of the most popular in Minnesota. It offers beautiful camping sites, hiking trails, an Interpretive Center, fishing pier, store, and a beautiful sandy swimming beach.
Diamond Lake
Diamond just may be the gem you have been looking for. It has a good population of above average size walleyes. The stained water warms quickly making this a good bet for early season. Huge bass can be found lurking in the abundant weeds. Some of the biggest panfish in the area are caught here as well. Monster bullheads provide an attraction for our neighbors from Iowa. This is a great place to take the family fishing.
Kandiyohi County Park #3 located on the west side of Diamond Lake has a large campground with full hook-ups, sandy beach, boat launch, store, and play area.
Eagle Lake
Recent heavy stocking of walleye fingerlings has put this body of water back on the "go to list". Last fall Duane had a very successful trip here that produced a trophy-size smallmouth and northern pike for his clients, in addition to many walleyes. The crappie fishing was outstanding in late Fall 2007.
Lake Florida
True to its name, Lake Florida offers some of the finest bass fishing in the area. The lake has beautiful clear water with deep weedlines that hold trophy-size largemouth. If you want to learn how to fish plastic worms, this is the place to come. Abundant northern pike will force you to keep a tight grip on your pole. Walleye fishing can be very good in early spring, and late fall. Florida has a reputation of turning out a nice average size walleyes, and some lunkers.
Dickerson's Resort on the east side of Lake Florida is a great family resort with beautiful sunsets.
Lake Koronis
This large body of water about 20-minutes from Spicer holds a great population of walleyes, northern pike, and bass. Many trophy-size smallmouth are caught on the sunken rock piles and structures. Several family resorts are located on the shores of Koronis. There are some excellent shore-fishing opportunities. Nearby Paynesville offers many accommodations and services.
Long Lake-North
This long, narrow, sheltered lake is a great destination for those windy days. It has awesome bass fishing, but they are catch-and-release only. The panfishing is so good here, Duane suggests bringing a lot of bait. This is one of our favorite crappie spot in early Spring after ice-out. Two resorts and private campgrounds are located on Long Lake.
Long Lake-South
This shallow lake near Willmar turns out an abundance of walleyes every year. It is a good bet early and late in the season. During mid-summer it gets very weedy. It has above average size walleyes and quite a few lunkers. Monster bluegills, largemouth bass, and northern pike are caught here as well.
Nest Lake
You never know what to expect when you fish Nest. This lake has put out several trophy size Muskies in the past few years. It is better known as an excellent walleye and bass lake. Trophy smallmouth bass show up regularly at the net. The weedy shorelines on the west side hold lots of good size largemouth. The resorts on the south side of the lake are great for families.
Norway/Games Lakes
The Norway/Games Chain of lakes west of New London is another bass hotspot. A 4-5 hour trip usually yields 25-30 bass. Most largemouth bass are in the 2-3 pound class, but fish up to 6-pounds are not uncommon. Norway also boasts a good population of walleye, with some wall-hangers caught every season. The best walleye action is from Opener until Memorial Day. Games Lake has a good population of Largemouth Bass, but the panfish action is what keeps most anglers busy. Monster bluegills, and slab crappies can be caught almost any time of the year. Kandiyohi County Park #7 located on the south side of Games Lake has a large campground with full hook-ups, sandy beach, boat launch, store, and play area. There are a number of family resorts located on Norway Lake. See our Accommodations page.
Other good walleye lakes in the Spicer area are Elizabeth, Foot, Big Kandiyohi, Ringo, Solomon, and Willmar. Most of these are shallow, stained water lakes and are stocked annually by the DNR. Because they are shallow, these waters warm fast and walleyes grow to adult size quickly. Look for these lakes to turn on in early Spring and again in early Fall.
The Spicer area has many excellent bass lakes. Calhoun, Elk Horn, George, Henderson, and Solomon Lakes provide plenty of action. Fish over 6 pounds are common.
We also have secret lakes that we go to for outstanding bass fishing. Availability is based on water levels to launch a boat and your willingness to take an oath of silence or wear a blindfold.
North Country Guide Service will also take full-day trips to other hot Minnesota Lakes within reasonable driving distance. We have fished nearly 400 lakes in Minnesota. Every season we spend several weeks in the Brainerd Area and on Lake Mille Lacs. Duane is available for guiding in these areas. Check for dates. With our many connections, we can also recommend guides in many other areas of the state.
Ice fishing may be offered next winter due to demand. Watch for details.
Catch-and-release is encouraged. We have a digital camera on board for those memorable moments. Guests are allowed to keep their fish if desired.
