Fishing at Bragonier Lake, Vilas County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Bragonier Lake falls in Vilas County, part of Wisconsin. Height above sea level is 1,611 feet. At about 43 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The edge runs 1.1 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Nearest place of any size is Eagle River, 7.8 miles away. Further out sit Rhinelander (19 miles) and Lac du Flambeau (24 miles). The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Bragonier Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Fish documented in Vilas County include bluegill, yellow perch, walleye and largemouth bass. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Bragonier Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 66°F in July and bottoms out near 9°F in January. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. At Bragonier Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. McDonald Lake at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Rules at Bragonier Lake are worth checking on the day.