Churchill Lake in Burnett County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Burnett County, Wisconsin, is where Churchill Lake sits. Height above sea level is 971 feet. The water covers some 32 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The edge runs 1.0 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Start from Sandstone, 22 miles down the road. Then Grantsburg, 22 miles, and Hinckley, 24 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Churchill Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Records held for Burnett County cover brown trout, northern pike and largemouth bass. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Churchill Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 68°F and January near 9°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. Climate figures give an open season running mid April to late November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. It sets the rhythm of the year at Churchill Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. The nearest alternative is Sutton Lake, 0.7 miles out. Check the position at Churchill Lake before loading the car.