Dam Lake is a lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota. Dam Lake covers about 598 acres, reaches a recorded 48 feet and holds about 10,844 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Dam Lake Affect Fishing
Dam Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.
Fish and Baits at Dam Lake
Fish reported from Dam Lake include banded killifish, bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook silverside, brown bullhead, burbot, cisco, common shiner, golden shiner, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, logperch, mimic shiner, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, spotfin shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Dam, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Dam, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill and pumpkinseed, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.
Walleye
For roaming fish at Dam, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Dam, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Bullheads
For bottom fishing at Dam, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.
Other Reported Fish
Other choices at Dam include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.
Rock Bass
At Dam, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.
Cisco and Burbot
For other cold-water fish at Dam, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling, and fish a glow jig or natural bait close to bottom after dark for burbot.
How the Seasons Change Dam Lake
Spring at Dam is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at Dam can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Dam Lake
On a first trip to Dam, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.
Useful Tackle for Dam Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Dam, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Dam Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 598-acre Dam Lake?
At Dam, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.
Should anglers fish the 48-foot deep end of Dam Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Dam is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 10,844 acre-foot storage figure mean at Dam Lake?
At Dam, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.