Fishing McConville Lake in Waukesha County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Out in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, sits McConville Lake. The setting is rolling bush on every side. Surface area runs to about 14 acres — small enough to read in one session. Our Waukesha County list holds plenty of bigger water. 5.9 miles away sits Merton, the nearest town. Hartford is 6.6 miles away, with Okauchee Lake at 8.1 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on McConville Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Across Waukesha County, recorded fish include common carp, bluegill, brown trout and rainbow trout. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Work McConville Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 70°F on average, January about 17°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early April. From about early April to around early December, expect open water on the long-run figures. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. McConville Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. The water borders Zinn Preserve, so reserve rules are likely to apply. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Beck Lake at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Ask locally about McConville Lake if anything is unclear.