Garfield Lake is a lake in Hubbard County, Minnesota. Garfield Lake covers about 960 acres, reaches a recorded 35 feet and holds about 13,469 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Garfield Lake Affect Fishing
Garfield 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 Garfield Lake
Fish reported from Garfield Lake include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brown bullhead, burbot, central mudminnow, fathead minnow, golden shiner, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, mimic shiner, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Garfield, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Garfield, 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 Garfield, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Garfield, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Bullheads
For bottom fishing at Garfield, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.
Other Reported Fish
Other choices at Garfield include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.
Rock Bass
At Garfield, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.
Burbot
For other cold-water fish at Garfield, fish a glow jig or natural bait close to bottom after dark for burbot.
How the Seasons Change Garfield Lake
Spring at Garfield 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 Garfield can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Garfield Lake
On a first trip to Garfield, 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 Garfield Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Garfield, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Garfield Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 960-acre Garfield Lake?
At Garfield, 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 35-foot deep end of Garfield Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Garfield is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 13,469 acre-foot storage figure mean at Garfield Lake?
At Garfield, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.