Burnham Lake, Wisconsin: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Burnham Lake is one of the Oneida County waters in Wisconsin. Elevation runs to 1,647 feet. It measures about 83 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. With about 1.4 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Wisconsin listings. Supplies mean a trip to Eagle River, 8.3 miles off. Rhinelander lies 13 miles off, Nashville another 23 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Burnham Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Reported across Oneida County: brown trout, walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Burnham Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 66°F and January near 10°F on the long-run figures. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about late November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Burnham Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Lily Lake at 0.6 miles is the sensible second choice. The position on Burnham Lake is worth confirming on the day.