Fountain Lake near 43.6595, -93.3737 is a reservoir in Freeborn County, Minnesota. Fountain Lake covers about 252 acres, reaches a recorded 14 feet and holds about 1,425 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Fountain Lake Affect Fishing
Fountain 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 Fountain Lake
Fish reported from Fountain Lake include bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, brook stickleback, channel catfish, common carp, fathead minnow, flathead catfish, goldfish, green sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, orangespotted sunfish, walleye, white crappie, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Fountain Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Fountain Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill and green sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.
Walleye
For roaming fish at Fountain Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Fountain Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Catfish, Bullheads, and Carp
For bottom fishing at Fountain Lake, put cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on bottom for channel catfish, and use live bait near wood or a deep hole for flathead catfish, and 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.
How the Seasons Change Fountain Lake
Spring around Fountain 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 Fountain Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Fountain Lake
On a first trip to Fountain 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 Fountain Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Fountain Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Fountain Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 252-acre Fountain Lake?
At Fountain 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 14-foot deep end of Fountain Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Fountain Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 1,425 acre-foot storage figure mean at Fountain Lake?
At Fountain Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.
Nearby fishing waters
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.