Shanty Bottom Lake, Wisconsin: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Shanty Bottom Lake lies within the bounds of Langlade County, Wisconsin. What surrounds it is pine and birch. The water measures roughly 7 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. It is high ground by Wisconsin standards. For supplies, Antigo is 13 miles out. After that come Nashville at 17 miles and Crandon at 23 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Shanty Bottom Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Langlade County records list brown trout, rainbow trout and largemouth bass among the fish reported. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Shanty Bottom Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 10°F in January to roughly 66°F in July. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Winter locks it down, and mid April brings it back. From about mid April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Shanty Bottom Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. No launch point is recorded nearby, so this is a bank water unless you carry a boat in. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Failing this one, try Indian Lake, 0.8 miles away. The position on Shanty Bottom Lake is worth confirming on the day.