Big Devil Lake in Washburn County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Big Devil Lake stands in Washburn County, Wisconsin. This is rolling bush country. It runs to roughly 166 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. A shoreline of some 3.1 miles keeps the choices simple. It is among the larger waters listed here for Washburn County. The town to know is Shell Lake, 9.1 miles out. Saint Paul sits 85 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Big Devil Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Across Washburn County, recorded fish include largemouth bass, bluegill and northern pike. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Big Devil Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 9°F in January to roughly 68°F in July. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Count the season from break-up, usually mid April. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near late November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Big Devil Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. There is a ramp at Big Devil Lake Boat Launch, half a mile out. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Failing this one, try Twin Lake, 0.6 miles away. The position on Big Devil Lake is worth confirming on the day.