Bark Lake

Bark Lake is one of the lakes mapped in Washington County with verified water details of about 65 acres and a maximum depth of 34 feet, so you know roughly what you are getting into before loading the boat or walking the bank.

The lake itself

I would start with a few obvious areas and make the lake prove I need more by checking what is happening around shoreline cover, weed edges, and the first clean drop away from the bank and once one type of water shows life, I would look for more of the same.

Fish to think about

The water-specific species list for Bark Lake includes Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Walleye, and Yellow Perch; so I would make room in the tackle box for weeds, wood, rock, or docks for bass and points, breaks, and wind-pushed edges for walleye, and stay flexible if the water tells me something else.

Where I would put my time

For the opening trip to Bark Lake, I would give the easy-to-read cover and depth changes a fair shot before trying anything fancy, and I would pull up the current Wisconsin fishing regulations before leaving home.