Fishing at Green Lake, Washburn County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Green Lake sits within Washburn County in Wisconsin. It sits at 1,083 feet above sea level. With some 29 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Spooner is the closest town at 11 miles. After that come Hayward at 12 miles and Shell Lake at 17 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Green Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Across Washburn County, recorded fish include largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike, yellow perch and walleye. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Work Green Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 68°F, with January the cold end at about 9°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. After mid April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. At Green Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Failing this one, try Spring Lake, 1.4 miles away. For Green Lake in particular, ask before you travel.