Curtis Lake Fishing near Pardeeville, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Out in Columbia County, Wisconsin, sits Curtis Lake. Height above sea level is 801 feet. Roughly 46 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Bank access stretches around 1.4 miles in total. It lies lower than most water we list in Wisconsin. Pardeeville sits 4 miles from here and is the nearest stop. The nearest city of size is Madison, 29 miles away. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Curtis Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Reported across Columbia County: brown trout, common carp, rainbow trout and largemouth bass. The county list is broader than any single water. The near bank of Curtis Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 71°F and January at 16°F. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Winter locks it down, and early April brings it back. Expect the water usable from around early April until roughly early December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Curtis Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Wyona Lake, 1.9 miles away. Confirm access to Curtis Lake locally before you travel.