Spring Lake Fishing near Hayward, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Wisconsin holds Spring Lake, in Washburn County. The ground around here is lake country bush. With some 203 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The full circuit measures close to 2.4 miles on foot. On our Washburn County list it sits near the top for size. The nearest town is Hayward, 11 miles away. Beyond it, Spooner at 12 miles and Little Round Lake at 15 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Spring 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. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Species logged across Washburn County include largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike and yellow perch. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Work Spring Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 9°F in January up to 68°F in July. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Look for the thaw near mid April; the fishing lifts straight after. The season between ice runs from about mid April to late November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. At Spring Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Should this one be busy, Deep Lake is 1.2 miles off. None of that is settled for Spring Lake in what we hold.