Fishing at Big Bass Lake, Washburn County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Big Bass Lake sits within Washburn County in Wisconsin. The bank gives way to mixed forest. Roughly 200 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The whole outline is near 2.4 miles, and most of it is walkable. Few waters listed in Washburn County are bigger. 18 miles away sits Spooner, the nearest town. The big place round here is Saint Paul, 97 miles distant. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Big Bass Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. County-wide records name largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike and yellow perch. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. The shape of Big Bass Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 68°F and January near 9°F on the long-run figures. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near late November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Big Bass Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Boat access is recorded roughly half a mile away. Parking is mapped about half a mile from the bank. Public toilets are recorded roughly half a mile off. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. The nearest alternative is Little Bass Lake, 0.6 miles out. For Big Bass Lake in particular, ask before you travel.