Fishing at Smith Lake, Bayfield County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  In Wisconsin, Smith Lake belongs to Bayfield County. Elevation runs to 1,371 feet. About 7 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Most waters listed here for Bayfield County are larger. Little Round Lake lies 13 miles from the water. The big place round here is Saint Paul, 121 miles distant. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking.

• Where to Fish on Smith Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Reported across Bayfield County: rainbow smelt, brown trout, yellow perch, rainbow trout and white sucker. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Fish Smith Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 66°F and January about 8°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid April. The season between ice runs from about mid April to late November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Smith Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Lake Helane sits 1.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Ask locally about Smith Lake if anything is unclear.