Franklin Lake near Eagle River: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Set in Forest County, Wisconsin, this is Franklin Lake. It lies 1,696 feet above sea level. Roughly 838 acres of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. With 6.0 miles or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. It is among the larger waters listed here for Forest County. Eagle River lies 12 miles from the water. It is 109 miles to Green Bay, the nearest city. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Franklin Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. 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. Reported across Forest County: brown trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike and bluegill. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Franklin Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 10°F in January up to 65°F in July. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late April. Averages suggest open water from about late April through to roughly late November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Anyone fishing Franklin Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. There is a campsite half a mile from the water. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Gertrude Lake at 1.1 miles is the sensible second choice. Where Franklin Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.