Fishing Big Gibson Lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  The Vilas County entry here is Big Gibson Lake, in Wisconsin. The surroundings are lake country bush. With some 121 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Shoreline comes to about 2.1 miles, small enough to learn in a day. It is high ground by Wisconsin standards. Lac du Flambeau is the closest town at 20 miles. Eagle River lies 21 miles off, Wakefield another 30 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Big Gibson Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Records held for Vilas County cover bluegill, yellow perch and walleye. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Fish Big Gibson Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 65°F in July and bottoms out near 9°F in January. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late April. The lid tends to go about late April and return around late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. It holds true on Big Gibson Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. You can camp about half a mile away, going by the mapping. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Little Gibson Lake at 0.7 miles is the sensible second choice. For Big Gibson Lake in particular, ask before you travel.