Fishing at Lower Lake, Polk County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Lower Lake is set in Polk County, Wisconsin. Elevation runs to 673 feet. With some 27 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. It is low-lying compared with other Wisconsin water we list. 1.7 miles away sits Osceola, the nearest town. Saint Paul is the closest city, 34 miles away. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Lower Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in Polk County include brown trout, rainbow trout, northern pike, largemouth bass and bluegill. The county list is broader than any single water. Lower Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 11°F and July at about 71°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Once it clears, about early April, the fishing comes on quickly. Break-up sits around early April on average, with the water closing again about late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. That is the shape of the year on Lower Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. Facilities run to toilets 0.9 miles from the water. Part of this sits inside or beside Osceola State Fish Hatchery, so read the notices. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Peaslee Lake, 0.7 miles out. For Lower Lake in particular, ask before you travel.