Willow Lake near Lac du Flambeau: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Willow Lake sits within Price County in Wisconsin. Everything around it is lake country bush. It measures some 410 acres, and wind has room to build across it. The shoreline runs about 7.1 miles, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. It ranks high for size among our Price County listings. You are 18 miles from Lac du Flambeau. Green Bay is the closest city, 127 miles away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Willow Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Species logged across Price County include yellow perch, walleye, northern pike and bluegill. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Treat Willow Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 9°F in January to roughly 66°F in July. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid April in spring and again near late November in autumn. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Willow Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. A protected area covers this ground, which usually means restrictions on access. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Lake Junnie at 1.1 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat access at Willow Lake as something to verify.