Fishing at Lost Lake, Columbia County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  The Columbia County entry here is Lost Lake, in Wisconsin. The surface lies 1,056 feet up. A splashy cast here empties the swim; a quiet one owns it. It is a small entry by Columbia County standards. Portage sits 5.5 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Lake Wisconsin is 7.6 miles away, with Poynette at 8.9 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lost Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. County-wide records name brown trout, common carp, rainbow trout and largemouth bass. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. At Lost Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 15°F to 71°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Look for the thaw near early April; the fishing lifts straight after. Climate figures give an open season running early April to early December. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Plan around that when you fish Lost Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Parking within half a mile means no long carry with tackle. Lost Lake State Natural Area takes in this water; protected-area rules will apply. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. For a change of water, Pickerel Lake is 2.3 miles distant. Nothing on Lost Lake should be assumed from this page alone.