What Lake Andrew offers anglers

Lake Andrew is a shallow, weedy walleye and pike lake in Kandiyohi County that rewards anglers who understand structure and timing. The lake runs about 1,200 acres and sits in the heart of Minnesota's prairie pothole country, where glacial geology creates the kind of murky, vegetation-choked water that walleye and northern pike thrive in. You won't find the clear-water smallmouth fishing of the deeper lakes to the north, and you won't find the trophy-sized fish that come from lakes with less fishing pressure. What you will find is consistent walleye action in spring and fall, reliable pike fishing year-round, and the kind of lake character that teaches you how to read shallow water.

The lake's depth averages around 12 feet, with the deepest holes reaching into the high 20s. Most of your fishing will happen in 6 to 15 feet of water, and the weed growth is thick enough that you'll spend time picking your way through vegetation rather than casting into open water. That weed cover is the reason fish are here—it holds baitfish, provides oxygen, and gives walleye and pike the shade they need during the day.

Key Takeaways

  • Lake Andrew's shallow, weedy structure means walleye and pike relate to vegetation year-round, so learn to fish the weed edges and gaps rather than open water.
  • Spring and fall produce the most consistent walleye fishing; summer requires deeper holes and night fishing as fish move away from the shallows.
  • Pike fishing is steady throughout the season, with the thickest vegetation holding the largest fish during summer.
  • Public access is available at the county boat launch on the north shore; the lake is small enough that you can cover productive water in a half day.
  • Jigs tipped with live minnows and crankbaits that deflect off weeds are the most effective presentations for both species.

Spring walleye fishing and the shallow-water bite

Spring is when Lake Andrew's walleye fishing is most forgiving. As the water warms from the mid-40s into the 50s, walleye move out of the deepest holes and into the shallower flats and weed edges. You'll find them in 4 to 8 feet of water, often right at the edge where vegetation starts or in the gaps between weed clumps. A jig tipped with a live minnow—a 2-inch shiner or fathead—is the standard approach, and you can cover water quickly by casting and working the jig along the bottom with a lift-and-drop rhythm.

The north and east shorelines hold the most consistent spring fish because they warm first and attract baitfish early. Early morning and late evening are productive, but unlike clearer lakes, Lake Andrew's walleye will bite throughout the day during spring because the water is still cool and the light penetration is low. If you're fishing during midday and not getting bites on the shallows, move to the 12- to 18-foot range and work the deeper weed edges—fish that haven't moved shallow yet are still there.

Summer fishing: deeper holes and night patterns

By mid-June, the water temperature climbs into the high 60s and low 70s, and the walleye bite becomes more selective. Fish move into the deepest available cover—the holes in the 20- to 28-foot range—and they become most active at night. If you want to fish during daylight in summer, focus on the thickest weed growth in 8 to 12 feet of water, where shade and oxygen are highest. Jigs still work, but you'll need to fish slower and work the weed edges more deliberately.

Night fishing is when summer walleye fishing on Lake Andrew makes sense. Fish move into shallower water after dark to feed, and you can work the 6- to 12-foot flats with jigs or live-bait rigs. A slip-sinker rig with a live minnow drifted along the weed edges is a classic approach that works well here. Bring a headlamp with a red lens to preserve your night vision, and plan to fish from about an hour after sunset until midnight or later.

Pike fishing year-round in the vegetation

Northern pike are the secondary target on Lake Andrew, but they're present and catchable throughout the season. Unlike walleye, pike don't move as dramatically with the seasons—they stay in the vegetation year-round because that's where they hunt. The thickest weed growth holds the largest fish, especially during summer when shallow-water pike can reach 30 inches or better if you're patient and methodical.

Crankbaits that deflect off weeds—shallow-running baits in the 2 to 4-foot range—are effective for pike because they mimic the erratic movement of a baitfish trying to escape through vegetation. Cast along the weed edges and work the bait with a steady retrieve, letting the bill of the crankbait do the work of pushing through the weeds. If you prefer live bait, a 4- to 6-inch sucker fished on a quick-strike rig under a bobber in the thickest weed cover will draw strikes from aggressive fish. Fall, when water temperatures drop and pike become more active, is often the best time for larger fish.

Access and boat launch information

Public access to Lake Andrew is available at the Kandiyohi County boat launch on the north shore. The launch is a single-lane concrete ramp with parking for roughly 20 vehicles and trailers. There is no fee to launch, and the facility is maintained by the county. The ramp is usable year-round for open-water fishing, though you'll want to check conditions in early spring and late fall when water levels can fluctuate.

The lake is small enough that you can fish the most productive areas in a half day, so a morning or afternoon trip is realistic. If you're new to the lake, start at the north and east shorelines in spring, then move to the deeper holes and weed edges as the season progresses. The lake doesn't have a lot of boat traffic compared to larger Kandiyohi County lakes, so you'll have room to work without constant interruption.

Tackle and technique for shallow, weedy water

Lake Andrew's shallow, vegetation-heavy character means your tackle needs to be different from what works on clearer, deeper lakes. Use a medium-power spinning rod with 8- to 10-pound braided line—braid cuts through weeds better than monofilament and gives you better feel when you're working a jig through thick cover. A 6-foot to 6.5-foot rod is ideal because it gives you enough leverage to set the hook in weeds without being so long that it's hard to maneuver in a boat.

Jigs in the 1/8- to 3/8-ounce range are the workhorse lure here. Match the weight to the depth and weed density—lighter jigs for shallower, thinner cover, heavier jigs for deeper holes. Crankbaits should be shallow-running models that don't dive deeper than 4 feet, and they should have a tight wiggle rather than a wide wobble, which helps them deflect off weeds instead of getting tangled. Live bait—shiners, fatheads, and suckers—should be fresh and lively; dead or sluggish bait won't trigger strikes in a lake where fish see a lot of angler pressure.

Seasonal patterns and when to fish

Lake Andrew follows a predictable seasonal pattern that's worth learning. Spring (April through May) is the most consistent time for walleye, with fish shallow and aggressive. Early summer (June) is a transition period where the bite is still good but fish are moving deeper. Mid- to late summer (July and August) requires more effort and often means fishing at night or in the deepest cover. Fall (September and October) brings another strong walleye bite as water temperatures drop and fish move back into shallower water, and pike fishing improves as well. Winter ice fishing is possible but requires checking current ice conditions and local regulations.

The best times to fish during the day are early morning (first two hours after sunrise) and late evening (last two hours before sunset). Midday fishing is possible in spring and fall, but in summer it's often slow unless you're working the deepest holes or thickest weed cover. Overcast days are generally better than bright, sunny days because the lower light penetration keeps fish more active throughout the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of year to fish Lake Andrew?

Spring (April through May) and fall (September through October) are the most consistent times because walleye are shallow and active. Summer requires more effort and often means fishing deeper or at night. Winter ice fishing is possible but depends on ice thickness and local conditions.

Do I need a boat to fish Lake Andrew, or can I wade?

A boat is the best way to access the productive areas, but the shallow depth means you could wade the shorelines in spring and fall if you prefer. The weed growth is thick enough that wading can be difficult, so most anglers use a boat to reach the gaps and edges where fish hold.

What size walleye and pike can I expect to catch?

Walleye typically run 12 to 18 inches, with occasional fish in the 20-inch range. Pike are often in the 18- to 26-inch range, with larger fish possible in the thickest weed cover during summer and fall. The lake receives moderate fishing pressure, so trophy-sized fish are less common than on less-fished lakes.

Is Lake Andrew good for beginners?

Yes, the consistent walleye bite in spring and the straightforward jig-and-minnow approach make it a good learning lake. The shallow water means you can see structure and understand how fish relate to weeds, which teaches lessons that apply to other Minnesota lakes.

What Minnesota fishing license do I need?

You need a current Minnesota fishing license, available through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website or at any authorized vendor. Licenses are required for anyone 16 and older and vary in length from daily to annual options.