Fishing Square Lake in Polk County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Square Lake falls in Polk County, part of Wisconsin. It stands 1,106 feet above sea level. Around 31 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The whole outline is near 0.9 miles, and most of it is walkable. Nearest town is Amery, 10 miles off. Beyond it, Turtle Lake at 11 miles and Luck at 11 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Square Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Polk County records list brown trout, rainbow trout and northern pike among the fish reported. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Square Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 70°F in July and bottoms out near 10°F in January. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Expect the water usable from around mid April until roughly late November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Time your trip to Square Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is a campsite half a mile from the water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. The nearest alternative is White Ash Lake, 1.7 miles out. Nothing here settles the position at Square Lake for certain.