Fishing River Lake in Washburn County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  In Wisconsin, River Lake belongs to Washburn County. The surface lies 1,342 feet up. 17 miles away sits Rice Lake, the nearest town. After that come Spooner at 18 miles and Shell Lake at 18 miles. Round about: Bodins Lake at 0.6 miles, Rock Lake within 0.6 miles, Matson Lake at 0.6 miles, Spute Lake within 1.1 miles and Vollmers Lake at 1.6 miles. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on River Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Records held for Washburn County cover largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike, yellow perch and walleye. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Take River Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 68°F at the top of summer and 9°F at the bottom of winter. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Winter locks it down, and mid April brings it back. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid April until roughly late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. River Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. You can camp half a mile off, which suits an early start. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Failing this one, try Bodins Lake, 0.6 miles away. What applies at River Lake may have changed since it was mapped.