Pike Lake Fishing near Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Pike Lake lies within the bounds of Bayfield County, Wisconsin. The water sits 1,109 feet up. About 19 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. The nearest place of any size is Lake Nebagamon, 16 miles away. Then Ashland, 23 miles, and Washburn, 24 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Pike Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Records held for Bayfield County cover rainbow smelt, brown trout, yellow perch, rainbow trout and white sucker. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. The shape of Pike Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 67°F and January near 9°F on the long-run figures. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Ice usually gives way near mid April, and forms again about late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. On Pike Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. The water borders Francis Island, so expect the reserve rules to apply. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. The nearest alternative is Lost Lake, 0.5 miles out. Ask locally about Pike Lake if anything is unclear.