Fishing Lost Lake in Ashland County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  The Ashland County end of Wisconsin holds Lost Lake. Elevation runs to 617 feet. This is a pocket water of some 11 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Most waters listed here for Ashland County are larger. The nearest place of any size is Ashland, 9.8 miles away. Washburn lies 14 miles off, Hurley another 25 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lost Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Ashland County records list rainbow smelt, yellow perch, white sucker, johnny darter and brown trout among the fish reported. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Lost Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 67°F and January at 11°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Look for the thaw near mid April; the fishing lifts straight after. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near late November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. On Lost Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Should this one be busy, Sugarbush Lake is 2.2 miles off. Check the position at Lost Lake before loading the car.