Fishing at Small Bass Lakes, Oconto County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Within Oconto County, Wisconsin, you have Small Bass Lakes. The bank is 1,257 feet above sea level. Small at around 17 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. For supplies, Legend Lake is 25 miles out. Beyond it, Keshena at 26 miles and Crandon at 27 miles. Alternatives close at hand: Cave Lake 0.3 miles, Chicken Crop Lake 0.7 miles off, Deadman Lake 0.9 miles, Quill Lake 0.9 miles off and Chicken Foot Lake 1.1 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Small Bass Lakes

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Public occurrence data for Oconto County names brown trout, largemouth bass and bluegill. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Read Small Bass Lakes for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 67°F, with January the cold end at about 12°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Ice is part of the season here, ending near 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. Anyone fishing Small Bass Lakes regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Cave Lake at 0.3 miles is the nearest alternative. Rules at Small Bass Lakes are worth checking on the day.