Long Lake Fishing Guide, Oconto County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Wisconsin holds Long Lake, in Oconto County. The water sits 1,273 feet up. Surface area runs to about 18 acres — small enough to read in one session. Crandon at 23 miles is the nearest place to stop. The big place round here is Green Bay, 63 miles distant. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Long Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Fish documented in Oconto County include brown trout, largemouth bass, bluegill and yellow perch. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. At Long Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 66°F, while January sits near 12°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. On average, mid April opens the water and late November closes it again. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. On Long Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Nicolet National Forest covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. If the gate is shut, Hidden Lake at 0.9 miles is the nearest alternative. Rules at Long Lake are worth checking on the day.