Fox Lake near Tomahawk: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Fox Lake is one of the Langlade County waters in Wisconsin. Country round the bank runs to pine and birch. Surface area runs to about 13 acres — small enough to read in one session. It is high ground by Wisconsin standards. For supplies, Tomahawk is 14 miles out. Rhinelander is 15 miles away, with Merrill at 20 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Fox Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for Langlade County include brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass and bluegill. The county list is broader than any single water. On Fox Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 66°F in July and bottom out at 10°F in January. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Look for the thaw near mid April; the fishing lifts straight after. Climate figures give an open season running mid April to late November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Expect Fox Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Bear Lake at 0.2 miles is the sensible second choice. Treat Fox Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.