Papoose Lake, Wisconsin: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Papoose Lake is listed under Oconto County, Wisconsin. The ground round it is mixed forest. On water this small, stealth matters more than range. On size it sits at the modest end of our Oconto County list. Nearest place of any size is Gillett, 12 miles away. The nearest city of size is Green Bay, 39 miles away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Papoose Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Across Oconto County, recorded fish include brown trout, largemouth bass and bluegill. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The near bank of Papoose Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 69°F in July and bottoms out near 13°F in January. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Ice-out usually falls in mid April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near early December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. At Papoose Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Little Squaw Lake at 0.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Signs at Papoose Lake carry more weight than any list.