Fishing Spruce Lake in Langlade County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Spruce Lake sits in Langlade County, out in Wisconsin. It stands 1,243 feet above sea level. Small at around 14 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The closest town, Legend Lake, is 24 miles away. Keshena is 24 miles away, with Antigo at 26 miles. Within a short drive: Perch Lake after 0.4 miles, Lake Kathleen a shade over 0.6 miles, Twin Lakes after 0.6 miles, Trout Lake a shade over 0.9 miles and Miller Lake after 1.1 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Spruce Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Species logged across Langlade County include brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass and bluegill. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Spruce Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 12°F and July at about 67°F, the water has a wide range to work through. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid April. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Plan any trip to Spruce Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. For a change of water, Perch Lake is 0.4 miles distant. Treat access at Spruce Lake as something to verify.