Green Lake, Spicer Minnesota
North Country Fishing Guide Service takes many of their 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. However, because of its size and confusing structure, it can be a difficult lake to fish without an experienced guide.
The walleye population on Green Lake is soaring due to tremendous stocking efforts by the DNR, and natural reproduction. Walleye size is above average for Minnesota lakes. There are very good numbers of walleyes in the 17- to 23-inch range. In 2009, many of our guests caught walleyes between 5 and 8 pounds. The chance to catch a trophy walleye has never been better.
Walleye fishing is good throughout the year; but tends to best in May and October. Fall of 2010 should be awesome, book a guide trip early as those days go fast.
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. Duane is an expert on locating smallmouth bass throughout the seasons. Nearly every trip results in a trophy-sized fish for one or more of our guests.
Largemouth bass fishing is soaring. Once scarce in the cool waters of Green Lake, largemouth bass are now seemingly everywhere. Not only is the population growing, the average size is getting better every year. In a few years, Green Lake may be one of the best bass lakes in Minnesota.
Recently, northern pike regulations on Green Lake were 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.
Green Lake also offers good fishing for giant bluegills, one pound-plus crappies, monster catfish, and a few muskies.
Spicer, Minnesota is a great place to bring the family. Saulsbury Beach in Spicer offers swimming, picnicking, and a large boat launch. Lions Park in downtown Spicer has a huge playground for kids, a picnic shelter, and fishing pier. There many unique shops and restaurants in the area. Every year Spicer holds one of the largest 4th of July celebrations in Minnesota with a large parade, street dance, and flea market.
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, docks, and playground 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.
Check our Accommodations page for more suggestions.
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-inches 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, camping cabins, hiking trails, 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. There are lots of walleyes in the 2-3 pound range with lunkers common. The stained water warms quickly making this a good bet for early season. Huge bass can be found lurking in the abundant reeds. 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. North Breeze Resort is located on the south side of Diamond Lake.
Eagle Lake
Recent heavy stocking of walleye fingerlings has put this body of water back on the "go to list". Eagle Lake has always had a good population of above average size walleyes. We have had several very successful trips here that produced trophy-size smallmouth and northern pike for clients, in addition to walleyes. The crappie fishing can be outstanding. Located near Willmar with lots of accommodations, shopping and services.
Lake Florida
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 above average size walleyes, and some lunkers.
Dickerson's Resort on the east side of Lake Florida is a great family resort with nice cabins, a sandy beach, and 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, we suggest bringing a lot of bait. This is one of our favorite crappie spots in early spring, right 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. It is an excellent panfish lake. The resorts on the south side of the lake are great for families. See our Accommodations page.
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, which is connected, 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 southeast 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.
Honorable Mention:
Other good walleye lakes in the Spicer area are Elizabeth, Ella, 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, Point, 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 guide 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. We can also recommend guides in many other areas of the state.
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.
