Deer Lake, Wisconsin: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Deer Lake is an Oneida County water, Wisconsin side. The surface lies 1,617 feet up. Roughly 167 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The closest town, Eagle River, is 11 miles distant. Then Crandon, 18 miles, and Rhinelander, 18 miles. Nearby alternatives: Virgin Lake sits 0.8 miles out, Dog Lake at 0.8 miles, Big Stone Lake sits 0.9 miles out, Moccasin Lake at 1.1 miles and Little Moccasin Lake sits 1.4 miles out. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Deer Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Public occurrence data for Oneida County names brown trout, walleye and largemouth bass. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Deer Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 66°F on average, January about 10°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid April in spring and again near late November in autumn. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. It sets the rhythm of the year at Deer Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. A camping area sits within half a mile of here. Mapping puts a reserve boundary across this water; check what it allows. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Virgin Lake sits 0.8 miles off and takes the overflow. For Deer Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.