Shepard Lake near Rhinelander: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Oneida County in Wisconsin is where Shepard Lake sits. The country here is lake country bush. It measures about 179 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The edge runs 2.1 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. It ranks high for size among our Oneida County listings. Rhinelander lies 3 miles from the water. The nearest city of size is Green Bay, 103 miles away. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Shepard Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Survey and observation records for Oneida County include brown trout, walleye, largemouth bass and northern pike. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. The near bank of Shepard Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 10°F to 67°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. From about mid April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Shepard Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Failing this one, try Thunder Lake, 1.1 miles away. Confirm access to Shepard Lake locally before you travel.