Fishing Gertrude Lake in Forest County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  In Wisconsin, Gertrude Lake belongs to Forest County. Elevation runs to 1,706 feet. Small at around 10 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. On size it sits at the modest end of our Forest County list. For a base, Eagle River sits 12 miles out. After that come Iron River at 21 miles and Stambaugh, Iron River at 21 miles. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Gertrude Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Survey and observation records for Forest County include brown trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch and northern pike. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Treat Gertrude Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 10°F in January up to 65°F in July. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Break-up near late April, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Expect Gertrude Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. You can camp about half a mile away, going by the mapping. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Should this one be busy, Butternut Lake is 0.9 miles off. Nothing here settles the position at Gertrude Lake for certain.