You’ve got fishing questions, we’ve got angling answers. Here’s what you need to know before you cast your line in Oneida County in Wisconsin’s Northwoods—one of the state’s top fishing destinations.
When is the fishing season in Oneida County?
Wisconsin’s general inland fishing season opens on the first weekend in May, and musky season opens in the northern zone (north of U.S. Highway 10, including Oneida County) on the Saturday closest to Memorial Day.
Do I need a fishing license to go fishing in Oneida County?
Yes—everyone who fishes on Wisconsin’s lakes needs a license, except for children 15 and younger. Many different types of licenses are available for Wisconsin residents and visitors, including first-time buyer licenses, one-day fishing licenses, and seasonal licenses. Learn more here.
The Wisconsin DNR also holds two Free Fishing Weekends every year where anglers can fish without a license—one on the third weekend in January and the other on the first weekend in June. Learn more here.
What kinds of fish can I catch in Oneida County?
Oneida County’s waters are home to dozens of species of fish, from hard-fighting bass to elusive musky. Here’s a look at just a few of the fish species you can find in Oneida County’s lakes and rivers:
- Musky
- Northern pike
- Walleye
- Smallmouth & largemouth bass
- Panfish, including bluegill, crappie, sunfish, and perch
- Lake trout
- Rainbow, brook & brown trout
What are some of the best fishing spots in Oneida County?
With more than 1,100 lakes, Oneida County has no shortage of places to cast a line. Anglers will find everything from backcountry streams to calm, no-motor lakes to sprawling lake chains. Here’s a few spots to check out:
Minocqua Chain of Lakes: This popular lake chain surrounding Minocqua includes six lakes that cover nearly 6,000 acres and is well-regarded for its bass fishing (it’s been named one of the top 25 bass lakes in the Midwest and is among the top 100 in the country). It’s also home to musky, pike, walleye, and panfish.
Pelican Lake: This 3,500-acre lake in southeastern Oneida County is one of the Wisconsin DNR’s Quality Fishing Waters—lakes and rivers that are managed with special regulations that help ensure healthy fish populations—for musky and bass and is easily accessible by five public boat landings.
Three Lakes Chain of Lakes: Anglers will find a fishing paradise near Three Lakes in northeastern Oneida County—the Three Lakes Chain connects to the Eagle River Chain to the north to form the largest chain of freshwater lakes in the world. The fishing is fantastic, too—the lakes boast impressive populations of musky and walleye, but other species like perch, crappie, and smallmouth bass are also common.
Willow Flowage: Located in the western portion of Oneida County, the Willow Flowage is a stunning natural wonder along the Tomahawk River that offers outstanding opportunities for angling, paddling, and wilderness camping. The 6,400-acre flowage is a hotspot for walleye and panfish, but anglers can also find northern pike, bass, and musky.
Plus, there are lots of rivers that offer good fishing, including the Wisconsin River, the Pelican River, and the Tomahawk River.
Oneida County is also home to several Class I trout streams, including Lela Creek and Starks Creek near Rhinelander, Bearskin Creek near Harshaw, and Langley Creek near the Willow Flowage. Find more information here.
Do I need to have a boat to go fishing in Oneida County?
Not at all! There are plenty of places where you can cast a line from shore in Oneida County, including many of Oneida County’s lodges, cabins, cottages, and resorts. Click here to see a list of Oneida County lodging properties that you can filter by amenities, including lake access.
There are also public fishing piers on Carroll Lake in the town of Woodruff and on Lake Minocqua in the town of Minocqua.
Where can I find fishing gear and guides?
Looking for a helping hand on your next fishing trip to Oneida County? Consider booking an appointment with one of the area’s expert guides—they’ll help you find the fish and provide everything you need for an angling adventure, no matter your age or experience level.
Visit our website to find more information on fishing guides and outfitters. (Scroll down to the business listings on this page and filter by Fishing.)
Learn more about fishing in Oneida County here.
