Murphy Lake Fishing near Oconto Falls, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Murphy Lake sits within Oconto County in Wisconsin. It sits at 719 feet above sea level. At 15 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Ground here is low by Wisconsin standards. For supplies, Oconto Falls is 18 miles out. It is 43 miles to Green Bay, the nearest city. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Murphy Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in Oconto County include brown trout, largemouth bass and bluegill. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Anyone new to Murphy Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 69°F and January about 13°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Look for the thaw near mid April; the fishing lifts straight after. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about early December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Plan any trip to Murphy Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Marsh Lake, 0.6 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm before you fish Murphy Lake.