Wisconsin Fishing

The Northern Wisconsin area is home to over 3,200 lakes and has one of the largest concentrations of freshwater lakes in the world. This area has large number of rivers, streams and brooks, and is also the headwaters of the two largest river basins in the state of Wisconsin: the Wisconsin River and the Chippewa-Flambeau River Systems. All of these waters are teaming with a diverse variety of fish species waiting to be caught.

What makes this area of the world unique is the variety of fishing opportunities one angler can have. The lakes, rivers and streams vary in size, depth, structure and are home to a large number of fish species. With many areas available for fishing and millions and millions of fish, this area is a paradise........ A paradise for anglers.

My family owns a cottage outside of Minocqua, WI and I fish the area 3-6 weeks per year. I have been vacationing the Lakeland area since the day I was born and feel blessed to have become an obsessive angler and developed my angling ways on these waters. The Lakeland area has so much water to fish, that one angler has such little time to fish it!

I have fished in northern Wisconsin since the day I was capable of handling a rod and reel. That was a long time ago. Today, I consider the northwoods to be my home waters and an area that I have somewhat mastered. Even though I am not a "pro" and have never fished a single tournament in my life, I am very knowledgeable for fishing this area and have experience fishing many of the area's waterways and knowing the location of these areas and the fishing that can be had. Being knowledgeable for this particular region is key to success. And yours too!

The following is a sample of the lakes and rivers I fish, and the type of fishing I specialize in for Northern Wisconsin.

The Home Waters

The body of water I enjoy fishing the most in Northern Wisconsin is my very own lake. This is the lake my cottage resides on. This lake is known as "Lake Pescado" due to the large numbers of fish I catch and due to its small size. To keep this lake as productive as possible for myself and my friends, we keep the real name of this lake hidden from visitors, bucket people and other random people.

Lake Pescado is under 30 acres in size and has a maximum depth of 15ft. It is home to a small population of common loons, herons, eagles and ospreys. However, it is home to an outstanding population of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and slab Crappies mixed in with a few Pike, Perch and Bullhead.

Lake Pescado can be considered as a wilderness lake due to the fact that no one ever fishes it but those who do fish it are often disappointed. To this day, I still don't know why.

The most abundant fish found in the lake are Largemouth Bass. The average size of the Lake Pescado Largemouth is 14-17" and these fish are very scrappy fighters and are easy to find throughout the seasons. The best times to catch these Bass are early spring through early fall and can be taken on a wide variety of artificial baits. There is rarely a day where anyone fishing with me leaves angry or disappointed.

The other main species in the lake are Bluegill and Crappie. In years past, the bluegill population was booming with many fish of desirable size waiting to be caught. Today, these numbers have greatly diminished due to the overharvest from bucket-people. Regardless of low numbers of huge gills, they are still easy to find and fun to catch on light tackle.

Crappies on the other-hand are a specie of fish that is unknown in this lake and difficult to catch for most anglers. The best times to catch crappie are in spring and early summer. As the summer season progresses, the majority of the population will be suspended. Lake Pescado Crappies average 9-12" and can be taken on slip bobber rigs, minnows, small crankbaits, jigs and small plastics. When you catch one Crappie, a school of others will be nearby.

Lake Pescado is also home to a minor Walleye & Pike population. Over the past few years, an extensive private stocking has been made to provide a catch-able C&R only fishery.

Northern Wisconsin is home to other lakes I successfully fish and is home to many more species of fish I catch on a regular basis.

Other Lakes

We all know northern Wisconsin is home to thousands of lakes, but there are certain lakes that are better than others. The lakes I am most familiar with are the lakes of Vilas and Oneida County.

Just as there are many lakes, there are many small rivers and streams I successfully fish as well.

If one lake is off and not producing, there are always many other lakes to try that are nearby.

Fishing the Flows

The rivers of northern Wisconsin are often overshadowed by the lakes found in the area. The benefit of this is less angling pressure and quiet serenity. Many times while fishing rivers and creeks, seeing another angler out on the water is a rarity.

Compared to the popular and easily-accessed lakes, I feel that rivers are more diverse with fish species and offer the angler a challenge. When wading a small river or unknown creek, you are tempted to explore its banks and to find its holes. When you find the holes, you'll find the fish.

In the stream pictured above, I have caught Muskies, Pike, Walleye, Large and Smallmouth Bass and a large assortment of Panfish and numerous minnow species. Creeks hold many fish when the conditions and water levels are optimal for fish survival.

The river photographed above is the Wisconsin River. The wild Wisconsin begins at its headwaters on Lac Vieux Desert, a 3,000 acre impoundment on the WI/MI border and flows southward for 400 miles till it spills into the Mississippi River in southwest Wisconsin. The stretches I fish most often range anywhere from 50-100ft wide and the river appears to be more like a large creek than river. The Wisconsin River is a favorite area of mine to fish due to the multi-species action one angler can have and due to its quiet location. Not too many anglers fish this river and neither do they know how to fish it too well. Sometimes I don't even fish this river well, but when I find the fish, I have a field-day.

The main species of fish I catch on the Wisconsin are Walleye, Musky, Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Perch and Rock Bass. Many of these fish can be successfully taken on artificials such as in-line spinners, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs and plastics. These fish are mostly taken while wading. Same method applies for other rivers and creeks.

My favorite Wisconsin River fish are Smallmouth Bass, Musky, Walleye, and Northern Pike.

The Fish of Wisconsin

This segment is for the fish species that have yet to have been discussed. The main fish northern Wisconsin is famous for are its Muskies. In the past 100 years, several specimens caught have come close to the world record and there are few fish somewhere out there that will break the record. The only problem is finding them.

Northern Wisconsin Muskies are the most sought-after fish by visitors and other fishermen. They are a great benefit to the area's economy and many popular Musky Tournaments are held each year in the Oneida/Vilas county area.

The Fisher Friend Guide Service is still a work-in-progress with Muskies, but we are qualified for finding Pike on a regular basis. Northern Pike are aggressive feeders and are found in 80% of the area's Lakes and surrounding rivers. Compared with the elusive Muskellunge, Pike are easier to catch.

Walleyes are another favorite of the guide service. Extensive stocking programs take place in the lakes of northern Wisconsin. Walleyes prefer hard bottom lakes with weed growth and irregular bottom contour. They are easiest to find in late spring, early summer and fall. Walleyes are readily available in lakes larger than 100 acres and serve as fine table-fare.

The final favorite fish of the guide service is the Smallmouth Bass.

When out on larger bodies of water or on any river or creek with a fishable population of Smallmouth Bass, I target these fish first, and are probably targeted the most out of all other fish. Out of all gamefish species in northern Wisconsin, Smallmouth Bass are pound-for-pound, the gamest fish that swim. This is due to their dynamic acrobatics and the fight you get from them while on your line. Smallmouth Bass are found in colder lakes with a hard and rocky bottom. These lakes can have clear and murky water. Smallmouths also prefer a wooded habitat and extensive bottom contour. The best times for Smallmouth Bass angling are in spring and summer. When fishing for Smallies, we always practice Catch and Release angling. It's a priority!

The Wildlife and Nature

Once you come, you won't want to leave!

The final thing I have to say is this - If you ever go fishing with me to Northern Wisconsin, bring a camera! Wildlife and scenery is what this place is all about.