Sport Lake in Washburn County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Sport Lake stands in Washburn County, Wisconsin. Everything around it is rolling bush. Surface area runs to about 23 acres — small enough to read in one session. Shell Lake lies 5 miles from the water. Saint Paul sits 82 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Close by you have: Browns Lake just 1.2 miles, Lost Lake some 1.2 miles off, Ripley Lake just 1.6 miles, Miller Lake some 1.6 miles off and Chain Lake just 2.1 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Sport Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Species logged across Washburn County include largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike, yellow perch and walleye. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Sport Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 9°F to 68°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. The lid tends to go about mid April and return around late November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. On Sport Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Failing this one, try Browns Lake, 1.2 miles away. Check the position on Sport Lake before loading the car.