Minnow Lake near Rhinelander: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Minnow Lake is an Oneida County water, Wisconsin side. Land around it is mixed forest. It covers about 7 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. It is a small entry by Oneida County standards. Some 6.9 miles away sits Rhinelander, the nearest settlement. Further out sit Eagle River (15 miles) and Tomahawk (24 miles). No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Minnow Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Oneida County include brown trout, walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Read Minnow Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 66°F in July and bottom out at 10°F in January. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid April. From about mid April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Time your trip to Minnow Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. Mapping shows a campsite some half a mile from the water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Should this one be busy, Pickerel Lake is 0.4 miles off. Check the current arrangement for Minnow Lake.