Lake County, Minnesota

Ensign Lake

Best fishing times today, in local lake time.

Today

Good day

Next major bite

4:23–6:23 PM CT

Major bite (moon overhead): 3:51–5:51 AM
Minor bite (moonset): 12:58–1:58 PM
Major bite (moon underfoot): 4:23–6:23 PM
Minor bite (moonrise): 8:52–9:52 PM

Sunrise: 7:47 AM
Sunset: 5:50 PM
Moon: Waning gibbous, 74%

Times in Central Time. Updated 7:57 AM CT.

Conditions

Air: 31°F
Wind: 5 mph W
Sky: Mostly Sunny
Pressure: 30.30 inHgRising (+1 hPa in 3 h)

National Weather Service hourly forecast; pressure from station KELO at 6:55 AM CT.

7-day bite calendar

Day	Major	Major	Minor	Minor	Moon
Today	3:51–5:51 AM	4:23–6:23 PM	12:58–1:58 PM	8:52–9:52 PM	Waning gibbous, 74%
Sat, Oct 31	4:53–6:53 AM	5:23–7:23 PM	1:40–2:40 PM	10:14–11:14 PM	Waning gibbous, 63%
Sun, Nov 1	4:51–6:51 AM	5:18–7:18 PM	1:10–2:10 PM	10:36–11:36 PM	Last quarter, 52%
Mon, Nov 2	5:44–7:44 AM	6:08–8:08 PM	1:33–2:33 PM	—	Waning crescent, 40%
Tue, Nov 3	6:32–8:32 AM	6:55–8:55 PM	11:56 PM–12:56 AM	1:51–2:51 PM	Waning crescent, 30%
Wed, Nov 4	7:18–9:18 AM	7:40–9:40 PM	1:13–2:13 AM	2:08–3:08 PM	Waning crescent, 20%
Thu, Nov 5	8:02–10:02 AM	8:24–10:24 PM	2:27–3:27 AM	2:23–3:23 PM	Waning crescent, 13%

What's biting on Ensign Lake in October

Ensign Lake covers 1,411 acres and is 30 ft at its deepest. These are the sport fish DNR surveys found here, and what each typically does in October in Minnesota lakes.

WalleyeFall walleye feed heavily on rocky points and breaklines; dusk and after dark are often best.
Northern pikeFall pike feed heavily along the last green weeds and drop-offs.
Largemouth bassBass gather near the remaining green weeds and drop-offs and feed before winter.
Smallmouth bassFall smallmouth school on deep rocky structure and feed before moving to wintering areas. From mid-September through February, smallmouth are catch-and-release only in most of the state (outside the Northeast Zone).
BluegillFall bluegill move toward deeper weed edges and feed actively.
Yellow perchFall perch school on deep flats and feed heavily.

Season notes: Minnesota statewide inland seasons from the DNR's 2026–27 fishing regulations. Check current regulations.

Fish in Ensign Lake

Species found in Minnesota DNR fish surveys of Ensign Lake in the last 10 years or its latest survey (September 11, 2023).

WalleyeSpawns over gravel and rock in the shallows soon after ice-out, peaking in 42–50°F water; in summer it holds deeper and feeds in the shallows at dawn and dusk.
Northern pikeSpawns in flooded, weedy shallows right after ice-out and keeps feeding in cold water, so it bites from spring through ice season.
Largemouth bassNests in shallow, firm-bottomed bays in late spring and spends summer in and along the weedbeds.
Smallmouth bassNests on gravel and rock in late spring and stays around rocky points, reefs and current through summer.
BluegillNests in colonies in firm-bottomed shallows from late May through much of summer, in 67–80°F water; bigger fish feed in open water.
Yellow perchSpawns in early spring, draping egg ribbons over weeds and brush, and bites eagerly on worms all year, including through the ice.
Rock bassNests over gravel near rocks and logs in late spring and stays close to rocky cover all summer.

Also found

Cisco species
White sucker

Lake facts

Shoreline from Minnesota DNR survey maps, simplified.

Area: 1,411 acres
Max depth: 30 ft
County: Lake County
Nearest town: Ely
DNR lake ID: 38049800

Source: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder (retrieved October 30, 2026).