Fishing at Adams Lake, Vilas County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Adams Lake is a Vilas County water, Wisconsin side. Height above sea level is 1,631 feet. Compared with other Wisconsin water on our list, it sits high. Eagle River sits 3.8 miles from here and is the nearest stop. The nearest city of size is Green Bay, 117 miles away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Adams Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Public occurrence data for Vilas County names bluegill, yellow perch and walleye. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Treat Adams Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 9°F in January and 65°F in July. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid April until roughly late November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. That is the shape of the year on Adams Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Failing this one, try Little Pine Lake, 1.1 miles away. Where Adams Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.