Lake Whitefish fishing at Willow L.

Spring lake whitefish on Willow L. hold shallow, usually 15 to 45 ft. They move out to 23 to 75 ft in summer and finish the year down in 25 to 70 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 64 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon gets it done.

Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Willow L.

Spring cisco (lake herring) on Willow L. hold shallow, usually 10 to 40 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 23 to 75 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 60 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 64 ft, rated prime for summer cisco (lake herring). Best bite is early morning. A vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic covers the summer program.

Walleye fishing at Willow L.

Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 15 to 35 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 34 ft that scores prime in fall. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.

Yellow Perch fishing at Willow L.

Spring yellow perch on Willow L. hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring yellow perch. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at Willow L.

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Willow L.

Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 45 ft. The spot to know is Main-lake point, a point in about 19 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in fall. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.

How deep is Willow L.?

Willow L. is about 75 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 Willow L.?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, lake whitefish, cisco (lake herring) on Willow L..

Where is the best fishing spot on Willow L.?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 64 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Willow L.?

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