Barrett Lake near 45.9121, -95.8710 is a reservoir in Grant County, Minnesota. Barrett Lake covers about 530 acres, reaches a recorded 28 feet and holds about 4,248 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Barrett Lake Affect Fishing
Barrett Lake has an old channel, incoming water and quiet coves, and small water-level changes can move fish from the bank to the first drop.
Fish and Baits at Barrett Lake
Fish reported from Barrett Lake include banded killifish, bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, black crappie, blackside darter, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, common carp, fathead minnow, freshwater drum, golden shiner, green sunfish, hornyhead chub, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, logperch, longnose gar, northern pike, orangespotted sunfish, pugnose shiner, pumpkinseed, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, spotfin shiner, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white crappie, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Barrett Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Barrett Lake, 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 Barrett Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Barrett Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Bullheads and Carp
For bottom fishing at Barrett Lake, 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 Barrett Lake include these plans: bounce a jig, worm or crayfish bait along firm bottom for freshwater drum, and work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.
Rock Bass
At Barrett Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.
How the Seasons Change Barrett Lake
Spring around Barrett Lake 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 around Barrett Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Barrett Lake
On a first trip to Barrett Lake, check incoming water, one bend in the old channel and a point near deep water with a moving lure, then slow down with a jig or worm where you get a bite.
Useful Tackle for Barrett Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Barrett Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Barrett Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 530-acre Barrett Lake?
At Barrett Lake, 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 28-foot deep end of Barrett Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Barrett Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 4,248 acre-foot storage figure mean at Barrett Lake?
At Barrett Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.