Perch Lake Fishing near Stambaugh, Iron River, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Perch Lake lies in Florence County, Wisconsin. The ground around here is pine and birch. Roughly 52 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. A shoreline of some 1.3 miles keeps the choices simple. Stambaugh, Iron River lies 12 miles from the water. Green Bay sits 101 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Perch Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Florence County include brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill and northern pike. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Perch Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 65°F and January reads 10°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near late November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. At Perch Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. Mapping shows a campsite some half a mile from the water. There are toilets mapped about half a mile away. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Silverdollar Lake at 0.7 miles is the nearest alternative. The position on Perch Lake is worth confirming on the day.