Bass Lake Fishing near Gillett, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Bass Lake sits in Oconto County, out in Wisconsin. The bank is 942 feet above sea level. At roughly 13 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. For supplies, Gillett is 24 miles out. Legend Lake is 26 miles away, with Oconto Falls at 27 miles. Within a short drive: Crooked Lake at 0.3 miles, Gilkey Lake (0.4 miles), Nelligan Lake at 1.2 miles, Grindle Lake (1.2 miles) and Waupee Flowage at 1.5 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Bass Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Fish documented in Oconto County include brown trout, largemouth bass, bluegill and yellow perch. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At Bass Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 68°F in July and bottoms out near 13°F in January. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid April. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near early December. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Expect Bass Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. You can launch: the ramp is half a mile away. A parking area is marked roughly half a mile out. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. The nearest alternative is Crooked Lake, 0.3 miles out. Where Bass Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.