French Lake near 45.2089, -94.1614 is a lake in Wright County, Minnesota. French Lake covers about 347 acres, reaches a recorded 50 feet and holds about 5,672 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of French Lake Affect Fishing
French 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 French Lake
Fish reported from French Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, common carp, fathead minnow, golden shiner, green sunfish, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white crappie, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at French Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at French 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 French Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at French Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Bullheads and Carp
For bottom fishing at French 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 French Lake include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.
How the Seasons Change French Lake
Spring at French 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 at French Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing French Lake
On a first trip to French Lake, 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 French Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at French Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
French Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 347-acre French Lake?
At French 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 50-foot deep end of French Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at French Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 5,672 acre-foot storage figure mean at French Lake?
At French 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.