Heart Lake Fishing in Vilas County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Heart Lake lies in Vilas County, in Wisconsin. It lies 1,677 feet above sea level. At roughly 16 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is a small entry by Vilas County standards. The town to know is Lac du Flambeau, 19 miles out. Then Wakefield, 20 miles, and Bessemer, 24 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Heart Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Records held for Vilas County cover bluegill, yellow perch and walleye. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Heart Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 65°F and January near 9°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late April. Open water usually runs from late April until about late November. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. The season on Heart Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. 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. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. If the gate is shut, Mermaid Lake at 1.1 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing here settles the position at Heart Lake for certain.