Cuff Lake Fishing near Pardeeville, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Set in Columbia County, Wisconsin, this is Cuff Lake. The setting is rolling bush. At roughly 24 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is low-lying compared with other Wisconsin water we list. Pardeeville lies 4.9 miles from the water. Portage is 9.3 miles away, with Rio at 12 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Cuff Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. 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. Across Columbia County, recorded fish include brown trout, common carp, rainbow trout, largemouth bass and northern pike. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. The shape of Cuff Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 16°F in January to roughly 71°F in July. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Break-up comes around early April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Averages suggest open water from about early April through to roughly early December. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Cuff Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Becker Lake, 1.7 miles away. Check the position at Cuff Lake before loading the car.