Warrior Lake, Wisconsin: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Warrior Lake lies in Vilas County, in Wisconsin. The country here is pine and birch. Roughly 28 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The nearest town is Lac du Flambeau, 5.6 miles away. Beyond it, Eagle River at 26 miles and Rhinelander at 28 miles. What else is close: Wishow Lake some 0.7 miles off, Bolton Lake (1.2 miles), Plummer Lake some 1.4 miles off, Toulish Lake (1.6 miles) and Marlands Lake some 1.7 miles off. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Warrior Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Reported across Vilas County: bluegill, yellow perch and walleye. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The shape of Warrior Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 65°F for July and 9°F for January. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid April. Open water usually runs from mid April until about late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Warrior Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Failing this one, try Wishow Lake, 0.7 miles away. Check the position at Warrior Lake before loading the car.