Third Lake near Trempealeau: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Third Lake is listed under Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. The ground round it is rolling bush. The water covers some 34 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. It lies lower than most water we list in Wisconsin. Some 1.7 miles away sits Trempealeau, the nearest settlement. The nearest city of size is Rochester, 53 miles away. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Third Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Reported across Trempealeau County: brown trout, rainbow trout, common carp and bluegill. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Third Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 72°F at the top of summer and 15°F at the bottom of winter. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Count the season from break-up, usually early April. The season between ice runs from about early April to early December. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Third Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Part of this sits inside or beside Trempealeau Lakes Fishery Area, so read the notices. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Failing this one, try Round Lake, 0.4 miles away. For Third Lake in particular, ask before you travel.