Brook Trout fishing at Schell Lake

Start shallow in spring: brook trout sit in 2 to 15 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 3 to 20 ft. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 17 ft of water that rates prime for brook trout in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm and you're in the game.

Splake fishing at Schell Lake

In spring, splake run shallow here, mostly 5 to 25 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 11 to 37 ft, and winter fish settle into 8 to 37 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 17 ft, rated prime for summer splake. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A trolled spoon at the thermocline or a white tube jig (deep) covers the summer program.

Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Schell Lake

In spring, cisco (lake herring) run shallow here, mostly 9 to 37 ft. Summer fish stay in 11 to 37 ft, and winter fish hold in 11 to 37 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 31 ft, rated prime for spring cisco (lake herring). Best bite is early morning. Tie on a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic and you're in the game.

Walleye fishing at Schell Lake

Spring walleye on Schell Lake hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 15 to 35 ft, and by winter most fish are in 11 to 37 ft. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 17 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Schell Lake

Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 11 to 37 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 9 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Schell Lake

Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.

How deep is Schell Lake?

Schell Lake is about 37 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Schell Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, brook trout, cisco (lake herring), splake on Schell Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Schell Lake?

Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 17 ft of water that rates prime for splake in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Schell Lake?

For brook trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.