Hoist Lake, Wisconsin: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Bayfield County end of Wisconsin holds Hoist Lake. It stands 1,312 feet above sea level. About 7 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Our Bayfield County list holds plenty of bigger water. The nearest place of any size is Washburn, 15 miles away. Ashland is 17 miles and Lake Nebagamon 25 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Hoist Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Across Bayfield County, recorded fish include rainbow smelt, brown trout, yellow perch and rainbow trout. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Fish Hoist Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 66°F and January near 9°F on the long-run figures. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. At Hoist Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. If the gate is shut, Rib Lake at 0.2 miles is the nearest alternative. For Hoist Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.