Fishing
Bayfield County is one of the most scenic fishing destinations in the country. Fishing the Big Lake is certainly a draw, but many anglers are surprised and happy to realize that within an hour drive of Superior’s shores, there is some of the finest inland lake fishing Northern Wisconsin has to offer on lakes like Namekagon, Owen, the Pike Chain, Eau Claire Chain, and many smaller waters. Fly anglers can fish any of the Big Lake’s tributaries, including the world famous Bois Brule, or try an inland trout stream such as the White or Namekagon rivers.
Contact one of our fishing guides in Bayfield County for some personalized attention!
Bayfield County Is the Perfect Place to Come for an Abundance of Fishing Opportunities Throughout the Year
WINTER
Early ice on Lake Superior offers great shallow-water fishing for a multitude of species. By late January, deepwater “bobbing” for Lake Trout out in the Apostle Islands begins.
SPRING
Peak opportunities for spring fishing are in May. Inland fishing also heats up with the spawning seasons and relatively easy fishing close to shore.
SUMMER
Summertime is Lake Trout time on Superior. Trollers head out into the Apostle Islands, South Shore, and the flats east of Madeline Island. Inland lakes are fun to explore and fish all summer long.
FALL
Fall is one of the best times to fish –the lakes are less crowded and fish start feeding well in preparation for winter. Stream fishing gets good for big, mature fish.
Popular Places to Go Fishing
LAKE SUPERIOR
Boat ramps at several locations from Port Wing to Ashland, northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass, perch, trout and salmon.
ATKINS LAKE
176 acres, 80' max. depth, public boat ramp; northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass, panfish, trout.
BONY LAKE
191 acres, 55' max. depth, navigable water, public boat ramp; musky, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, panfish.
CABLE LAKE
166 acres, 43' max. depth, public boat ramp; northern pike, largemouth bass, panfish.
DELTA LAKE
180 acres, 30' max. depth, public boat ramp; northern pike, largemouth bass, panfish.
DIAMOND LAKE
341 acres, 83' max. depth, public boat ramp; northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, panfish, trout.
EAGLE LAKE (Pike Lake Chain)
170 acres, 52' max. depth, navigable water, public boat ramp; musky, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, panfish.
EAU CLAIRE LAKE (Middle)
902 acres, 66' max. depth, public boat ramp; musky, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, panfish.
EAU CLAIRE LAKE (Upper)
996 acres, 92' max. depth, public boat ramp; musky, northern pike, walleye largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, panfish.
GHOST LAKE
132 acres, 27' max. depth, carry-in boat launch; musky, largemouth bass, panfish.
HART LAKE (Pike Lake Chain)
259 acres, 54' max. depth, navigable water; musky, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass,
panfish.
LONG LAKE
263 acres, 23' max. depth, public boat ramp; northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, panfish.
MILLICENT LAKE (Pike Lake Chain)
183 acres, 53' max. depth, navigable water; musky, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, panfish.
LAKE NAMEKAGON
3,227 acres, 50' max. depth, public boat ramp; musky, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, panfish.
LAKE OWEN
1,323 acres, 95' max. depth, public boat ramp; northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, panfish.
PERCH LAKE
70 acres, 77' max. depth, public boat ramp; trout, largemouth bass, panfish.
PIGEON LAKE
213 acres, 26' max. depth, public boat ramp; northern pike, largemouth bass, panfish.
SISKIWIT LAKE
330 acres, 13' max. depth, public boat ramp; northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass, panfish.
STAR LAKE
234 acres, 55' max. depth, public boat ramp; northern pike, largemouth bass, panfish.
TWIN BEAR LAKE (Pike Lake Chain)
172 acres, 59' max. depth, public boat ramp; musky, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, panfish.
WANOKA LAKE
15 acres, 20' max. depth, carry-in boat launch; trout.
BRULE RIVER
44 miles, total 325 acres, 7' max. depth, walk-in access; trout, salmon, walleye.
CRANBERRY RIVER
6.6 miles, total 16.7 acres, 5' max. depth, walk-in access; trout, salmon.
FISH CREEK
18.8 miles, total 44.8 acres, 4' max. depth, walk-in access; trout, northern pike, yellow perch.
FLAG RIVER
12.6 miles, total 32.1 acres, 4' max. depth, walk-in access; trout, salmon.
NAMEKAGON RIVER
15.0 miles, total 105.5 acres, 5' max. depth, carry-in boat access; trout, northern pike, smallmouth bass, bullhead, panfish.
ONION RIVER
4.0 miles, total 4.8 acres, 2' max. depth, walk-in access; trout, salmon.
PIKES CREEK
7.7 miles, total 1.8 acres, 3' max. depth, walk-in access; trout, salmon.
SIOUX RIVER
12.0 miles, total 23.4 acres, 5' max. depth, walk-in access; trout, salmon, northern pike, yellow perch.
WHITE RIVER
33.9 miles, total 180.8 acres, 4' max. depth, walk-in and carry-in access; trout, salmon, northern pike, largemouth bass, rock bass.
WHITTLESEY CREEK
5.2 miles, total 6.3 acres, 3' max. depth, walk-in access; trout, salmon.