Joel Flowage 22 Fishing Guide, Polk County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Joel Flowage 22 lies in Polk County, Wisconsin. It sits at 1,129 feet above sea level. Roughly 81 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The whole outline is near 1.2 miles, and most of it is walkable. Turtle Lake lies 3.7 miles from the water. Further out sit Amery (9.1 miles) and Clear Lake (9.9 miles). The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Joel Flowage 22

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Fish documented in Polk County include brown trout, rainbow trout, northern pike, largemouth bass and bluegill. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. At this water the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 70°F and January reads 10°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early April and starts locking again about late November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Plan any trip to this water around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. The water borders Joel Marsh Wildlife Area, so expect the reserve rules to apply. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. The nearest alternative is Little Horseshoe Lake, 2.2 miles out. For this water, the notice at the access point is the final word.