Toad Lake is a lake in Becker County, Minnesota. Toad Lake covers about 1,700 acres, reaches a recorded 29 feet and holds about 30,832 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Toad Lake Affect Fishing
Toad Lake 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 Toad Lake
Fish reported from Toad Lake include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, burbot, central mudminnow, common carp, common shiner, golden shiner, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, least darter, mimic shiner, northern pike, northern redbelly dace, pumpkinseed, rock bass, spottail shiner, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Toad, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Toad, 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 Toad, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Toad, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Bullheads and Carp
For bottom fishing at Toad, 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 Toad include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.
Rock Bass
At Toad, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.
Burbot
For other cold-water fish at Toad, fish a glow jig or natural bait close to bottom after dark for burbot.
How the Seasons Change Toad Lake
Spring at Toad 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 Toad can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Toad Lake
On a first trip to Toad, 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 Toad Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Toad, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Toad Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 1,700-acre Toad Lake?
At Toad, 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 29-foot deep end of Toad Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Toad is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 30,832 acre-foot storage figure mean at Toad Lake?
At Toad, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.