Fishing Bell Lake in Bayfield County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  This water sits in Bayfield County, Wisconsin. The bank is 1,060 feet above sea level. At roughly 13 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Lake Nebagamon sits 18 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Saint Paul sits 136 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Bell Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Open biodiversity records for Bayfield County list rainbow smelt, brown trout and yellow perch. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. At Bell Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 9°F to 67°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. On average, mid April opens the water and late November closes it again. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. At Bell Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. A campsite lies half a mile away for anyone staying over. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Spirit Lake, 0.3 miles away. Check the position at Bell Lake before loading the car.