Ellwood Lake, Wisconsin: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In Wisconsin, Ellwood Lake belongs to Florence County. It sits in mixed forest. Around 130 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. About 2.0 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. On our Florence County list it sits near the top for size. The town to know is Iron Mountain, 4.5 miles out. Green Bay is the closest city, 93 miles away. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Ellwood Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Florence County records list brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass and bluegill among the fish reported. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Ellwood Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 67°F, the coldest about 11°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about late November in an average year. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. It sets the rhythm of the year at Ellwood Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. 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. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Frog Lake at 0.7 miles is the nearest alternative. Ask locally about Ellwood Lake if anything is unclear.