Take A Kid Fishing Bemidji & Blackduck Chapter Minnesota

Shoreline Fishing Can Offer
Some Great Action

I don't know how many times I've heard somebody say "I'd like to go fishing, but I don't have a boat." Well you don't need a boat to go fishing. There are several very good shoreline fishing opportunities around the Bemidji and Blackduck area. Shoreline fishing can be very good during the entire open water season. Fish move to shoreline areas during spring, (May and June) to seek out shallow warmer water, and to feed on insects and minnows. As weed beds develop, late (June thru August) many species of fish will stay shallow and use these weeds for shade and cover to ambush food sources. Fish such as bluegills, sunfish, crappie, perch, bass, rock bass and northern pike can be caught from shore at this time. Walleye can even be caught in this location but usually after dark. Rivers are another shoreline fishing option and can provide excellent fishing action for many kinds of fish.

If you don't know anyone who has a boat dock to fish from, there are many good public fishing spots in the area. Here is a list of my favorites, and I'll start with rivers. The Tamarack River in Waskish provides excellent walleye fishing. It can get crowded at times, get there early and you can get a spot. The Turtle River at Three Island Country Park is another good place to go. The Turtle River has several good places to fish from, East on County Rd. 22 where it flows through miles of public land. The Mississippi River also has several public areas that provide fishing locations.

Now let's go to some lake shore locations for you to try. Newman Lake south of Bemidji and Benjamin Lake south of Blackduck. Both have Rainbow Trout and Benjamin Lake has a pier to fish from where you can catch panfish. You will need a trout stamp to fish these two lakes, if you are sixteen years old or older. Lake Gilstead, Webster, and South Twin also South of Blackduck are other good choices. Gilstead has a pier to fish from at the public access. Webster has shoreline fishing at public camping areas. South Twin access on East side of lake has plenty of room to fish, but has no dock. You can expect to catch panfish, bass and northern pike from these three lakes. Lake Bemidji has two fishing piers. One is located at the state park and you need a park pass to go there. The other is at the Mississippi River inlet by Pamida. Diamond Point Park on Lake Bemidji is also an excellent place to fish. Most of all boat access are also places to fish, although the ones with a lot of boat traffic tend to keep fish pushed out of the area. If you choose to fish these areas please make room for people launching there boats and be polite. I don't have room to give accurate directions to all of these and other shoreline fishing locations. But if you do a little research you can find them, and enjoy some great fishing. Good luck, and be safe.

Todd Imdieke,

Professional Guide and TAKF Volunteer