Hawthorn Lake in Ozaukee County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Hawthorn Lake falls in Ozaukee County, part of Wisconsin. It lies 866 feet above sea level. The closest town, Newburg, is 4.3 miles away. Then Saukville, 5.7 miles, and Cedarburg, 6 miles. Also within reach: Mud Lake at 1.6 miles, Radtke Lake a shade over 2.9 miles, Proschinger Lake at 3 miles, Haneman Lake a shade over 3.3 miles and Horn Lake at 3.4 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Hawthorn Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Records held for Ozaukee County cover common carp, green sunfish, fantail darter, johnny darter and pumpkinseed. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. The near bank of Hawthorn Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 70°F; by January the average is down near 18°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about early April. The open-water window runs from around early April to about early December in an average year. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Hawthorn Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. If the gate is shut, Mud Lake at 1.6 miles is the nearest alternative. None of that is settled for Hawthorn Lake in what we hold.