Fishing Cyclone Lake in Washburn County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Out in Washburn County, Wisconsin, sits Cyclone Lake. It stands 1,030 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 86 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Roughly 1.5 miles of bank means you can walk to a fresh area when one goes quiet. The closest town, Spooner, is 2.7 miles distant. For a city, Saint Paul is 83 miles off. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Cyclone Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Records held for Washburn County cover largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike and yellow perch. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Treat Cyclone Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 9°F to 69°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid April. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about late November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Cyclone Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Cranberry Lake at 1.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position at Cyclone Lake before loading the car.