Sunny Vale Lake in Marathon County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Sunny Vale Lake is a Marathon County water, in Wisconsin. Pine and birch runs right down to the water. For supplies, Rib Mountain is 3.7 miles out. It is 89 miles to Green Bay, the nearest city. More in the same country: Lake Wausau some 5.5 miles off, Eau Claire Flowage a shade over 6.4 miles, Half Moon Lake some 9.3 miles off, Mosinee Flowage a shade over 10 miles and Big Eau Pleine Reservoir 365 some 15 miles off. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Sunny Vale Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Species logged across Marathon County include brown trout, common carp and yellow perch. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Anyone new to Sunny Vale Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 12°F in January up to 69°F in July. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. After mid April the shallows warm and the fish move up. 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. It sets the rhythm of the year at Sunny Vale Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Public data has parking about half a mile from the shore. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Lake Wausau at 5.5 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the current arrangement for Sunny Vale Lake.