Fishing at Bass Lake, Oneida County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Bass Lake lies within the bounds of Oneida County, Wisconsin. The water sits 1,575 feet up. About 12 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Most waters listed here for Oneida County are larger. The nearest town is Rhinelander, 5.6 miles away. Eagle River lies 16 miles off, Nashville another 22 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Bass Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Species logged across Oneida County include brown trout, walleye and largemouth bass. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Take Bass Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 66°F, the coldest about 10°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. Expect the water usable from around mid April until roughly late November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. At Bass Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. This falls in or next to protected ground, so rules will be tighter than usual. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Clear Lake at 0.3 miles is the sensible second choice. The position on Bass Lake is worth confirming on the day.