Otter Lake, Wisconsin: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Otter Lake lies within the bounds of Iron County, Wisconsin. It lies 1,572 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 5 acres — small enough to read in one session. Most waters listed here for Iron County are larger. Nearest place of any size is Park Falls, 14 miles away. Lac du Flambeau lies 15 miles off, Phillips another 25 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Otter Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Open biodiversity records for Iron County list walleye, northern pike and yellow perch. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Fish Otter Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 10°F in January and 66°F in July. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid April. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about late November in an average year. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Otter Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Island Lake is 0.7 miles distant. The position on Otter Lake is worth confirming on the day.