Lake Samway in Oneida County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lake Samway stands in Oneida County, Wisconsin. It sits at 1,588 feet above sea level. Around 36 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. There is roughly 1.1 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. Rhinelander at 5.9 miles is the nearest place to stop. After that come Tomahawk at 15 miles and Eagle River at 24 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Lake Samway

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Records held for Oneida County cover brown trout, walleye and largemouth bass. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Lake Samway the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 66°F for July and 10°F for January. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. Climate figures give an open season running mid April to late November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. On Lake Samway that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. John Lake, 0.9 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the current arrangement for Lake Samway.