Perch Lake Fishing, E of Rhinelander, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Oneida County in Wisconsin is where Perch Lake sits. It stands 1,588 feet above sea level. About 13 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is a small entry by Oneida County standards. Rhinelander sits 5 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Further out sit Tomahawk (15 miles) and Eagle River (23 miles). Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Perch Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Survey and observation records for Oneida County include brown trout, walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. At Perch Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 66°F at the top of summer and 10°F at the bottom of winter. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid April. On average, mid April opens the water and late November closes it again. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Perch Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. The water sits inside or beside a nature reserve, so expect extra rules. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Flag Lake at 0.5 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat access at Perch Lake as something to verify.