Fishing Phillips Lake in Marinette County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Phillips Lake is a Marinette County water, Wisconsin side. The water sits 1,027 feet up. The water measures roughly 10 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Niagara is the closest town at 14 miles. Green Bay is the closest city, 73 miles away. Others worth noting: Camp Lake 0.4 miles, East Twin Lake some 0.6 miles off, West Twin Lake 0.7 miles, McDonald Lake some 0.7 miles off and Barnes Lake 1.2 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Phillips Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Marinette County records list brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill and yellow perch among the fish reported. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. At Phillips Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 67°F and January about 12°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about early December. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. On Phillips Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Overnight stays are possible about half a mile out, where camping is mapped. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Camp Lake at 0.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat access at Phillips Lake as something to verify.