Himley Lake near Crandon: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Forest County, Wisconsin, is where Himley Lake sits. Land around it is pine and birch. Surface area is around 145 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. The full circuit measures close to 2.9 miles on foot. It is among the larger waters listed here for Forest County. Crandon is the closest town at 11 miles. Further out sit Nashville (14 miles) and Antigo (29 miles). The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Himley Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Survey and observation records for Forest County include brown trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike and bluegill. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. At Himley Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 65°F; the cold one sits at 11°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. Ice usually gives way near mid April, and forms again about late November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Himley Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Sort the permit out before you load the car. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. The nearest alternative is Ludington Lake, 1.5 miles out. Treat Himley Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.