Ludington Lake in Forest County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Forest County end of Wisconsin holds Ludington Lake. The bank is 1,637 feet above sea level. With some 29 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Compared with other Wisconsin water on our list, it sits high. The town to know is Crandon, 9.2 miles out. The big place round here is Green Bay, 76 miles distant. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Ludington Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Across Forest County, recorded fish include brown trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch and northern pike. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Ludington Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 11°F in January and 65°F in July. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Count the season from break-up, usually mid April. Climate averages put the opening at about mid April and the closing near late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. On Ludington Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Eds Lake at 1.5 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Ludington Lake locally before you travel.