Fishing at Armstrong Lake, Bayfield County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Armstrong Lake lies within the bounds of Bayfield County, Wisconsin. The surface lies 1,273 feet up. The water covers some 53 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The bank runs about 1.4 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Lake Nebagamon is the closest place, 22 miles off. Further out sit Ashland (24 miles) and Hayward (27 miles). No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Armstrong Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Bayfield County include rainbow smelt, brown trout, yellow perch, rainbow trout and white sucker. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Armstrong Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 66°F; by January the average is down near 9°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. Climate figures give an open season running mid April to late November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. It holds true on Armstrong Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. If the gate is shut, Nelson Lake at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. None of that is settled for Armstrong Lake in what we hold.