Richardson Lake Fishing near Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Richardson Lake sits within Bayfield County in Wisconsin. It sits at 1,106 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 24 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Nearest place of any size is Lake Nebagamon, 11 miles away. Ashland follows at 28 miles, then Washburn at 29 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Richardson Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Open biodiversity records for Bayfield County list rainbow smelt, brown trout, yellow perch and rainbow trout. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The shape of Richardson Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 9°F and July at about 67°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about late November. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Richardson Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. The water sits inside or beside a nature reserve, so expect extra rules. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Should this one be busy, Jones Lake is 0.4 miles off. Check the current arrangement for Richardson Lake.