Hiles Mill Pond 17 in Forest County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In Wisconsin, Hiles Mill Pond 17 falls inside Forest County. Height above sea level is 1,634 feet. At 381 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. With 6.2 miles or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. It is among the larger waters listed here for Forest County. The nearest town is Crandon, 11 miles away. Then Nashville, 14 miles, and Eagle River, 19 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Hiles Mill Pond 17

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Public occurrence data for Forest County names brown trout, largemouth bass and yellow perch. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On this water that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 10°F in January up to 65°F in July. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid April. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about late November in an average year. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. On this water the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Failing this one, try Little Pine Lake, 1.4 miles away. None of that is settled for this water in what we hold.