I know this is a long shot but I will be in the Park Rapids area for a week here soon. We are renting a boat on the lake we are staying at but wondered if there are any shore fishing opportunities around the area, especially for smallmouth. I'm aware lakes up here don't usually have any shore access but wondered if anyone had a secret spot. Thanks in advance!

This shows locations and a list of state run fishing piers throughout MN.

Counties to work with that are fairly close are Hubbard (Park Rapids is the county seat), eastern Becker, southern Beltrami, eastern Cass, and southern Clearwater.

files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/water_access/fishingpier_map.pdf

 

Also look for any state parks in the area - they almost always have shore fishing opportunities.

 

Not sure which lakes in those counties are smallmouth lakes

Appreciate it! Been going up there for years but never really thought about trying to branch out and try other places. I may try going to some of those piers and throwing a drop shot or ned rig and see what happens.