Lake Franklin is a lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Lake Franklin covers about 1,088 acres, reaches a recorded 46 feet and holds about 15,776 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Lake Franklin Affect Fishing
Lake Franklin is too large to fish all at once, so pick one group of coves and points and stay there long enough to learn what the fish are using.
Fish and Baits at Lake Franklin
Fish reported from Lake Franklin include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, cisco, common carp, fathead minnow, golden shiner, green sunfish, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Lake Franklin, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth, and work a tube, Ned rig or small crankbait across rock and firm points for smallmouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Lake Franklin, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, pumpkinseed, and green sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.
Walleye
For roaming fish at Lake Franklin, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Lake Franklin, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Bullheads and Carp
For bottom fishing at Lake Franklin, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads, and use corn or dough bait on a simple bottom rig for carp.
Other Reported Fish
Other choices at Lake Franklin include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.
Rock Bass
At Lake Franklin, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.
Cisco
For other cold-water fish at Lake Franklin, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling.
How the Seasons Change Lake Franklin
Spring at Lake Franklin 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 Lake Franklin can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Lake Franklin
On a first trip to Lake Franklin, 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 Lake Franklin
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Lake Franklin, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Lake Franklin FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 1,088-acre Lake Franklin?
At Lake Franklin, 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 46-foot deep end of Lake Franklin?
Not every trip. A better place at Lake Franklin is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 15,776 acre-foot storage figure mean at Lake Franklin?
At Lake Franklin, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.