Gorman Lake

Gorman Lake near 44.3415, -93.6620 is a reservoir in Le Sueur County, Minnesota. Gorman Lake covers about 521 acres, reaches a recorded 14 feet and holds about 3,623 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Gorman Lake Affect Fishing

Gorman 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 Gorman Lake

Fish reported from Gorman Lake include bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin, channel catfish, common carp, freshwater drum, golden shiner, johnny darter, largemouth bass, logperch, northern pike, pumpkinseed, quillback, spottail shiner, walleye, white bass, white crappie, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Gorman Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

For panfish at Gorman Lake, 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 and White Bass

For roaming fish at Gorman Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye, and follow shad with a spoon, jig or small crankbait for white bass.

Northern Pike

For large predators at Gorman Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.

Catfish, Bullheads, and Carp

For bottom fishing at Gorman Lake, put cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on bottom for channel 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.

Other Reported Fish

Other choices at Gorman 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.

How the Seasons Change Gorman Lake

Spring around Gorman 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 Gorman Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

A Simple Plan for Fishing Gorman Lake

On a first trip to Gorman 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 Gorman Lake

A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Gorman Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.

Gorman Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 521-acre Gorman Lake?

At Gorman 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 Gorman Lake?

Not every trip. A better place at Gorman Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.

What does the 3,623 acre-foot storage figure mean at Gorman Lake?

At Gorman Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.