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71-acre lake near Cook County. The lake tops out around 65 ft. The depth picture is modeled, anchored to the true shoreline and the water's published max depth — a scouting aid, never a chart to run a boat by. The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
Drawn out, this is 71 acres of water rimmed by 2.4 miles of bank. Index 2 on the shoreline: a few honest points and pockets, nothing labyrinthine. Roughly 47% of the water is 15 ft or less as modeled, the band where the food chain lives. Call it 0.7 mi long by 0.4 mi wide at the broadest reach. The water lies in Cook County. For a second option, French lies 1 mi north.
Start shallow in spring: lake trout sit in 10 to 40 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 20 to 65 ft, and winter fish settle into 16 to 65 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 55 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning. Throw a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger until the fish tell you otherwise.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (16 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 20 to 65 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (55 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (16 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 16 to 65 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (55 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Spring puts northern pike in skinny water — 2 to 8 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 8 to 20 ft, wintering in 5 to 15 ft. Spring northern pike concentrate at Shallow bay flat, a prime-rated weed flat around 6 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Start shallow in spring: burbot sit in 20 to 65 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 20 to 65 ft covers summer, 15 to 60 ft covers winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 55 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in spring. Warm-month bites cluster around after dark and midday. Throw a heavy jig + cut bait until the fish tell you otherwise.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 20 to 65 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (55 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 20 to 65 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (55 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 20 to 65 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (55 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (55 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Count 6 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 55 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Minnesota waters are set by the Minnesota DNR — and special regulations can apply to Fern specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Minnesota fishing regulations →
Fern is about 65 ft (20 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target lake trout, northern pike, burbot on Fern.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 55 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For lake trout, the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Fern is regulated by the Minnesota DNR. Check the official Minnesota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
French 1 mi · Powell 1 mi · Gillis 1 mi · Ecstasy 1 mi · West Fern 1 mi · Peter 1 mi · Elm 2 mi · Crooked 2 mi · Bat 2 mi · Howard 2 mi · Owl 2 mi · Fay 2 mi
See how Fern stacks up: best northern pike lakes in Minnesota · best lake trout lakes in Minnesota · best burbot lakes in Minnesota
More water nearby: Cook County fishing maps (351 charts). Browse all Minnesota fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.