Cycle Lake in Ashland County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Cycle Lake is set in Ashland County, Wisconsin. It sits in pine and birch country. At about 35 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Park Falls is the closest town at 11 miles. Phillips lies 27 miles off, Lac du Flambeau another 27 miles. Round about: Sells Lake a shade over 5 miles, Parker Lake 5.6 miles away, Augustine Lake a shade over 6.5 miles, Hoffman Lake 7.9 miles away and Schnur Lake a shade over 8.8 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Cycle Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Public occurrence data for Ashland County names rainbow smelt, yellow perch and white sucker. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Cycle Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 10°F in January up to 65°F in July. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Ice-out usually falls in mid April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Cycle Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. The nearest alternative is Sells Lake, 5 miles out. What applies at Cycle Lake may have changed since it was mapped.