Willow Lake

Willow Lake near 47.1543, -93.7731 is a lake in Itasca County, Minnesota. Willow Lake covers about 239 acres, reaches a recorded 45 feet and holds about 5,407 acre-feet.

What to Expect at Willow Lake

Willow Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.

Fish and Useful Baits at Willow Lake

Fish reported from Willow Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, cisco, common shiner, fathead minnow, golden shiner, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, mottled sculpin, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

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

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

For panfish at Willow 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

For roaming fish at Willow Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.

Northern Pike

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

Bullheads

For bottom fishing at Willow Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.

Rock Bass

At Willow Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.

Cisco

For other cold-water fish at Willow Lake, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling.

A Simple Fishing Plan for Willow Lake

On a first trip to Willow 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.

When to Fish Willow Lake

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