Smith Lake, Wisconsin: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  You will find Smith Lake in Burnett County, Wisconsin. The water sits 978 feet up. Around 26 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The closest town, Spooner, is 9.8 miles distant. Further out sit Shell Lake (13 miles) and Cumberland (25 miles). If this one is busy: Lost Lake at 0.5 miles, Perch Lake roughly 0.7 miles, Benoit Lake at 1.2 miles, Dubois Lake roughly 1.3 miles and Lipsett Lake at 1.7 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Smith Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Public occurrence data for Burnett County names brown trout, northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill and pumpkinseed. The county list is broader than any single water. Smith Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 9°F in January to roughly 69°F in July. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Winter locks it down, and mid April brings it back. From about mid April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Expect Smith Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Failing this one, try Lost Lake, 0.5 miles away. Check the position on Smith Lake before loading the car.