Perch Lake Fishing near Rhinelander, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Perch Lake sits in Oneida County, out in Wisconsin. The country round it is lake country bush from end to end. At 23 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Nearest place of any size is Rhinelander, 7.9 miles away. It is 108 miles to Green Bay, the nearest city. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Perch Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Open biodiversity records for Oneida County list brown trout, walleye and largemouth bass. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. At Perch Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 66°F in July and bottoms out near 10°F in January. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Winter locks it down, and mid April brings it back. On average, mid April opens the water and late November closes it again. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Anyone fishing Perch Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Failing this one, try Garland Lake, 0.9 miles away. Confirm access to Perch Lake locally before you travel.