Fishing at Scout Lake, Douglas County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Douglas County in Wisconsin is where Scout Lake sits. It sits at 1,207 feet above sea level. At about 30 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The nearest town is Lake Nebagamon, 15 miles away. For a city, Saint Paul is 117 miles off. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water. There is enough here to keep coming back.

• Where to Fish on Scout Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. County-wide records name yellow perch, walleye, white sucker, black crappie and rainbow smelt. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Take Scout Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 8°F and July at about 67°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at late November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. On Scout Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For walleye, a jig and minnow near the bottom is the standard; evenings beat middays. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Should this one be busy, One Buck Lake is 1.1 miles off. Nothing on Scout Lake should be assumed from this page alone.