Heisel Lake Fishing near Oconto Falls, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Heisel Lake falls in Oconto County, part of Wisconsin. It sits at 820 feet above sea level. Small at around 9 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It is low-lying compared with other Wisconsin water we list. The nearest place of any size is Oconto Falls, 19 miles away. Green Bay is the closest city, 43 miles away. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Heisel 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 productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Records held for Oconto County cover brown trout, largemouth bass and bluegill. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Anyone new to Heisel Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 68°F on average, January about 13°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Winter locks it down, and mid April brings it back. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about early December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. That is the shape of the year on Heisel Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Bahlert Lake sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm access to Heisel Lake locally before you travel.