Oneida County sits in the heart of Wisconsin’s Northwoods in an area that boasts one of the highest concentrations of freshwater lakes on the planet, so it’s no wonder fishing is excellent here year-round. Anglers can cast for walleye, pike, musky and more—here’s where to go when you’re looking for your next trophy fish.
Learn more about fishing in Oneida County here.
Northern pike: Boom Lake
Visit Rhinelander in central Oneida County to find this 365-acre lake that’s an impoundment of the Wisconsin River. In addition to a healthy population of northern pike, anglers will find an abundant population of panfish and healthy numbers of musky and largemouth bass. Boats can launch at Hodag Park on the south end of the lake.
Walleye: Lake Nokomis
Lake Nokomis is a 2,200-acre flowage that’s part of a chain along the Tomahawk River in southwestern Oneida County. (In fact, the lake straddles the border of Oneida County and Lincoln County to the south.) It’s a popular spot for fishing all year long, and the lake is home to solid populations of walleye, musky, pike, bass, and panfish. There are three public boat launches on the lake.
Musky: Three Lakes Chain of Lakes
Looking to land “the fish of 10,000 casts”? Head toward Three Lakes in northeastern Oneida County to find this angling mecca, which connects with the Eagle River chain to the north to form the world’s largest chain of freshwater lakes. The lakes that make up the chain—including Big Lake and Big Stone Lake—are great places to go after musky; don’t forget to hire a guide to help you find the trophy fish.
Panfish: Pelican Lake
One of the largest lakes in Oneida County, Pelican Lake is a popular spot for anglers in search of musky, largemouth and smallmouth bass, pike, and walleye, all of which are common in the lake. Panfish lovers will enjoy the lake’s abundant population of bluegill, crappie, and other species. Located southeast of Rhinelander (south of Monico on U.S. Highway 45), the lake can be accessed by five public boat launches.
Bass: Squirrel Lake
This 1,300-acre lake west of Minocqua boasts an impressive array of species—it’s home to sizable populations of musky, walleye, and panfish—but it’s a great spot for bass fishing, too. Anglers can access the lake from two boat landings (Kobart Road on the north side of the lake and Carter Road on the east side of the lake).
