Papoose Lake Fishing near Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Papoose Lake is one of the Vilas County waters in Wisconsin. The setting is lake country bush on every side. This is sizeable water at about 435 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. With 5.7 miles or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. On our Vilas County list it sits near the top for size. 15 miles away sits Lac du Flambeau, the nearest town. Green Bay sits 144 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Papoose Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Open biodiversity records for Vilas County list bluegill, yellow perch and walleye. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Papoose Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 65°F and January near 10°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around late April. Averages suggest open water from about late April through to roughly late November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. At Papoose Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Papoose Lake Boat Landing gives a made launch, half a mile off. A nature reserve borders this water, which usually brings restrictions. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Rosalind Lake at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing on Papoose Lake should be assumed from this page alone.