Peterson Lake in Douglas County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In Wisconsin, Peterson Lake belongs to Douglas County. The surroundings are lake country bush. It runs to roughly 32 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Supplies mean a trip to Hayward, 19 miles off. Saint Paul is the closest city, 104 miles away. Within easy reach: Muck Lake at 0.6 miles, Buffalo Lake sits 1.2 miles out, Wascott Lake at 1.5 miles, Miles Lake sits 2 miles out and Crotty Lake at 2.1 miles. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Peterson Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Open biodiversity records for Douglas County list yellow perch, walleye and white sucker. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Anyone new to Peterson Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 9°F and July at about 67°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. From about mid April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Plan around that when you fish Peterson Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. You can leave the car about half a mile from the water. For walleye, a jig and minnow near the bottom is the standard; evenings beat middays. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Should this one be busy, Muck Lake is 0.6 miles off. Treat access at Peterson Lake as something to verify.