Fishing Otter Lake in Waupaca County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  The Waupaca County entry here is Otter Lake, in Wisconsin. This is rolling bush ground. This is a pocket water of some 15 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. The closest town, King, is 0.7 miles away. Waupaca lies 2.8 miles off, Amherst another 10 miles. Others close at hand: Taylor Lake at 0.4 miles, George Lake the better part of 0.5 miles, Rainbow Lake at 0.6 miles, Sunset Lake the better part of 0.6 miles and Nessling Lake at 1.1 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Otter Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Reported across Waupaca County: brown trout, flathead catfish and rainbow trout. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Otter Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 15°F and July at about 70°F, the water has a wide range to work through. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early April. In an average year the thaw lands around early April and the freeze near early December. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Otter Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. There is a campsite half a mile from the water. The water borders Government Island, so expect the reserve rules to apply. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. The nearest alternative is Taylor Lake, 0.4 miles out. Nothing here settles the position at Otter Lake for certain.