Star Lake, Wisconsin: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Bayfield County entry here is Star Lake, in Wisconsin. It stands 1,132 feet above sea level. It measures some 256 acres, and wind has room to build across it. It ranks high for size among our Bayfield County listings. Nearest town is Ashland, 22 miles off. Lake Nebagamon follows at 24 miles, then Washburn at 25 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Star Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Bayfield County records list rainbow smelt, brown trout and yellow perch among the fish reported. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Treat Star Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 9°F in January up to 66°F in July. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid April. From about mid April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Expect Star Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. A protected area covers this ground, which usually means restrictions on access. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Anodanta Lake, 0.4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Nothing on Star Lake should be assumed from this page alone.