Wisconsin Northwoods Bass Fishing

What is a perfect year for bass fishing?  Experts say last year was a perfect year for bass fishing in northern Wisconsin.  Not only did spring come early but the weather was consistent.  Ice was off the lakes by mid-April and above- average temperatures held through July.  With the bass population in northern Wisconsin already in excellent shape, last spring only enhanced most lakes and flowages.  In most lakes the largemouth and smallmouth bass were able to experience ideal spawning conditions.  After spawning they went to feed and growth rates were good.  With open water extending into December, bass experienced an extended growth season.  This year, bass should be hardy, and trophy bass could be numerous.  The biggest problem anglers will have is picking a lake to fish. Here are some of the waters that have experienced expanding bass populations in recent years.  They should be in prime shape for providing anglers both action and a shot at a trophy.  These are the best bass waters in Wisconsin.

(1) Machickanee Flowage & Oconto River The Machickanee Flowage has always had a good largemouth bass population but since the 14 inch size limit was introduced the quality has increased.  The flowage is located in southeast Oconto County.  Most of the bottom consists of muck and stumpfields with heavy weeds making fishing tough in summer.  But the fishing is hot in May and early June.  With the flowage warming quickly, it is prime by the season opener.  Search for the warmest water and cast either white spinnerbaits or soft-plastic jerkbaits.  It is common for bass to hold tight to stumps in 1 foot of water.  When working your jerkbait it is important to bump the stump.  Often this bump will trigger a strike.  Earl or late in the day try twitching a shallow-running crankbait tight to wood.  Fresh weeds will also hold largemouths.  The Oconto River from the Machickanee Flowage Dam to the bay of Green Bay is excellent smallmouth water.  In May huge smallmouths move out of the bay into the river.  The river is also productive in summer when the flowage turns off.  The early season catch and release rules do not apply on this water, but let these pre-spawn bass go.  There is a good landing off Highway 141 For more information of this area call: Oconto Chamber of Commerce at:  920-834-2255

(2) High Falls Flowage Located in central Marinette County, High Falls Flowage has long been popular with bass anglers.  Anglers have the option of fishing for both largemouths and smallmouths.  The flowage has a steep, rocky shoreline and shallow, muck-filled bays.  Both species are in excellent shape but largemouths seem to be on the rise.  Wisconsin Public Service maintains 7 landings around the flowage.  On High Falls live bait is the ticket for the smallmouths.  Smallies will pass most artificial lures due to the abundance of forage.  Experts say there is nothing better than a leech, but you won't catch me putting one of them on my hook.  Pitch the leech as close to shore as possible.  Often the smallmouths will hammer the leech as soon as it hits the water.  After spawning they tend to take to the weeds and move offshore to the humps.  Peak feeding occurs early and late in the day. For laremouths work the bays in May or early June with shallow-running crankbaits and plastics.  In late June the largemouths will move to the weedlines but some will remain in the slop and others will hold off in deep shoreline wood. For more information of this area call: Crivitz Recreation Association at:  1-800-274-8480 or visit: Crivitz.com

(3) Upper & Lower Buckatabon Lakes Both Upper and Lower Buckatabon Lakes are recommended for bass action.  There are landings on both lakes off Buckatabon Lake Road off Highway K about 12 miles northwest of Eagle River.  The upper lake is fairly clear with well-defined cabbage weedlines.  It has a good largemouth population with both numbers and big fish.  Good early season areas include the marsh on the northwest end and the bay out from the boat landing.  Look for a combination of weeds and stumps to hold the largest bass.  Plastic worms are the bait of choice.  Try working the plastics along the weedlines in the summer.  For smallmouths try the saddle between the islands in spring.  The lower lake is dark with a variety of weed types.  It has a good largemouth population with a bonus smallmouth bass fishery.  It is an excellent early season bass lake with the dark shallow water warming quickly.  The marsh at the inlet on the north end of the lake attracts pre-spawn largemouths,  Bass relate to the wood along fresh weed growth.  The best results come with Texas-rigged plastic worms.  In summer the weeds are thick but working the plastic worms alongs the weedlines is productive.  For more information of this area call: Eagle River Chamber of Commerce at:  1-800-359-6315 or Eagle Sports at:  715-479-8804

(4) Flambeau Chain The Flambeau Chain is located in southwestern Vilas County.  There is access on each lake and you can navigate between the lakes.  The larger lakes of the chain include Big Crawling Stone, Fence, Flambeau and Pokegama Lakes. All have deep structure and good weed growth with good bass population, both smallmouth and largemouth.  The best time to fish is in the spring.  Pokegama and Flambeau are the first to see action.  Work the shoreline and look for weeds.  Spinners, crankbaits and live bait are all effective.  In Flambeau, try the bay on the southeast end.  Smaller Moss Lake, connected to Flambeau is a great early-season bass lake, warming quickly in spring.  Work the shallows with spinners to find the fish.  Once found try either plastics or a jig-and-minnow.  If you are looking for smallmouths try Big Crawling Stone or Fence Lakes.  The best time to fish is in the summer.  Work the deep structures with a jig-and-leech or a jib-and-minnow.  Look for bars that have a shallow, tapering dropoff.  If the rockbars fail to produce try the weedbeds.  Smallmouths move shallow early and late in the day.  Anglers also have success with the tube jigs and plastics.

(5) Wisconsin River The Wisconsin River from the Alexander Dam down to Merrill are recommended for action and a shot at a big smallmouth.  You can launch your boat or canoe at Council Grounds State Park below the dam.  Although there is considerable fishing pressure, those fishing from a small boat or canoe can get away from the crowds.  There are deep holes in this section of the river along with old pilings and remains of old dams.  Fish the cover with a jig-and-twistertail to find the smallmouths.  If the bite is light go to live bait.  Both leeches and crawlers are productive. Another good stretch of the river is below the next dam.  Access is on the west side of the river off Highway 64.  The first mile below the dam is best.  Look for isolated rock structure and weeds to hold the smallmouths.  Cast buzzbaits and rattling crankbaits around rocks and weeds.  The more vibration and color the better.  If you are catching only smaller bass, try casting a surface lure at dusk. For more information of this area call: Merrill Chamber of Commerce at:  715-536-9474

(6) Chippewa Flowage In the past, the Chippewa Flowage has always been a good largemouth fishery.  Smallmouths are replacing the largemouths as the dominant fish on the flowage.  The abundance of forage is producing 3-4 pound smallmouths.  A freeze-out a few years back killed off many largemouths, but the smallmouths winter in the deeper end and weren't affected.  Walleye anglers were catching smallmouths by fishing brushpiles with live bait and the muskie anglers were catching smallmouths with surface baits and small bucktails.  Muskie fishermen now consider smallmouths a nuisance.  Many anglers are targeting the smallmouths at the inlets of the East Fork and West Fork of the Chippewa River.  Crankbaits and tube jigs are most popular.  Late in the summer fish the brush and wood along the channel with weedless plastics or live-bait rigs.  In the shallows use shallow-running crankbaits or spinnerbaits.  Largemouths are making a comeback and there has been good reproduction in recent years.  Big largemouths may be rare but the smaller fish will supply action.  There are numerous landings around the flowage. For more information on these 2 areas, call: Hayward Chamber of Commerce at 715-634-8662 If in the Hayward area visit:  The Official National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum Visit On-line: Chippewa Flowage

(7) Callahan Lake For largemouth action Dave Dorazio recommend trying Callahan Lake and connecting Mud Lake.  There are both numbers and quality bass present. Mud Lake is shallow but ideal for early season largemouth fishing.  Surface baits fished around bogs are popular.  The channel between the 2 lakes is good early spring.  Callahan Lake near the dam is also good.  In June or July largemouths can be found almost anywhere in Callahan Lake.  Work the weedlines with spinnerbaits or Texas-rigged plastic worms.  Late in fall, continue to work the weedlines but use crankbaits or a jig-and-pig. If the weedlines fail, try a secondary breakline.  Use a 3/8 oz. rubber jig with a pork frog or eel.  The fall is prime time for largemouths.  There is a landing on the east end of Callahan Lake on Callahan Lake Road. For more information of this area call: Dave Dorazio at:  715-462-3885 or visit: Hayward Lakes

(8) Great Lakes Smallmouth When you mention bass, its hard not to mention both Chequamegon Bay and Sturgeon Bay.  Both have excellent numbers of smallmouths and trophy potential.  In Chequamegon Bay there is a 22 inch size limit creating one of the nation's premier waters for trophy smallmouths.  The waters of Lake Superior take a bit longer to warm and the action doesn't start until late May or early June.  Top areas of pre-spawn smallmouths include Sandcut Point and Oakwood Point.  A 1/16 oz orange jig tipped with a 3 inch Power Grub is a popular early season bait.  By late June look for the smallmouths to scatter.  Plastics continue to produce in summer, but you should use larger bait.  There is also a topwater bite in summer. Smallmouths are caught throughout the Door County Peninsula.  Prime areas include:  Little Sturgeon Bay, Sand Bay, Ellison Bay, and Egg Harbor.  In spring concentrate on the bays with spinnerbaits and plastics.  Later in summer, smallmouths relate to open-water points and humps such as Larsen's Reef.  If you are looking for a trophy smallmouth, try the late fall period when you have the water to yourself. For more information of this area call: Ashland Chamber of Commerce at:  1-800-284-9484 or Door County Chamber of Commerce at:  1-800-52-RELAX

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All links verified April 14, 2001