Highland Lake near Cumberland: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Wisconsin holds Highland Lake, in Polk County. It stands 1,280 feet above sea level. For a base, Cumberland sits 7.4 miles out. The nearest city of size is Saint Paul, 60 miles away. Also worth knowing: Long Lake the better part of 0.9 miles, Staples Lake 0.9 miles away, Round Lake the better part of 1.1 miles, Chain Lakes 1.2 miles away and Lake of the Woods the better part of 2 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Highland Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Public occurrence data for Polk County names brown trout, rainbow trout, northern pike and largemouth bass. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. The shape of Highland Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 10°F to 69°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid April until roughly late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Plan around that when you fish Highland Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. The nearest alternative is Long Lake, 0.9 miles out. For Highland Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.