Fishing at Birch Lake, Ashland County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  The Ashland County end of Wisconsin holds Birch Lake. Country round the bank runs to lake country bush. This is a pocket water of some 9 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Most waters listed here for Ashland County are larger. Ashland sits 16 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Washburn is 21 miles and Little Round Lake 34 miles. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Birch Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Open biodiversity records for Ashland County list rainbow smelt, yellow perch, white sucker and johnny darter. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Anyone new to Birch Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 67°F, while January sits near 10°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid April. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Plan around that when you fish Birch Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Indian Lake is 0.7 miles distant. Where Birch Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.