Ox Lake Fishing in Polk County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  You will find Ox Lake in Polk County, Wisconsin. It sits at 1,050 feet above sea level. With some 29 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The closest town, Amery, is 6 miles away. It is 43 miles to Saint Paul, the nearest city. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge. The bank is open in stretches and thick in others.

• Where to Fish on Ox Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. County-wide records name brown trout, rainbow trout, northern pike, largemouth bass and bluegill. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Fish Ox Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 70°F and January reads 10°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early April. Averages place the thaw at early April and the freeze at late November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Ox Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Overnight stays are possible about half a mile out, where camping is mapped. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. Part of this sits inside or beside Garfield Recreation Area, so read the notices. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Pine Lake at 1.2 miles is the sensible second choice. Where Ox Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.