Gates Lake

Barron County is home to Gates Lake, a mapped lake with the current inventory showing about 12 acres and a maximum depth of 9 feet, so at least you are starting with real numbers instead of guessing from a map.

A simple read on the lake

I would let the first few spots tell me what kind of day it is going to be with a simple look at the best bank cover, any obvious weeds, and the deepest water I can reach and I would only make a big move if those places truly look empty.

The species on record

I cannot give you a trustworthy species list for Gates Lake from the current data; i would keep the species plan open until a current exact-water source gives us something solid, and without making the day more complicated than it needs to be.

What I would do first

If I were putting together a simple plan for Gates Lake, I would start with obvious fish-holding water and let actual bites tell me whether to stay or move, and I would make sure the current Wisconsin fishing regulations do not add a special rule for this water.