Fishing at Perry Lake, Bayfield County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Perry Lake lies within the bounds of Bayfield County, Wisconsin. This is pine and birch ground. Around 52 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The edge runs 1.1 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Head to Hayward, 17 miles away, for anything you forgot. Further out sit Little Round Lake (18 miles) and Lake Nebagamon (29 miles). Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Perry Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. County-wide records name rainbow smelt, brown trout, yellow perch and rainbow trout. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Perry Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 66°F and January near 8°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near late November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Perry Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. There is a launch about half a mile from the bank. This falls in or next to protected ground, so rules will be tighter than usual. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. If the gate is shut, Price Lake at 0.7 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing here settles the position at Perry Lake for certain.