Fishing at Thief Lake, Taylor County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Taylor County, Wisconsin, is where Thief Lake sits. It lies 1,460 feet above sea level. At 11 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. The nearest place of any size is Medford, 13 miles away. Rochester sits 122 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Thief Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Open biodiversity records for Taylor County list brown trout, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Thief Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 67°F and January reads 10°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid April. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. That is the shape of the year on Thief Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Polack Lake, 0.9 miles away. Check the position at Thief Lake before loading the car.