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Wisconsin · Fishing
Hazelhurst sits in the heart of Oneida County, where lakes are dense enough that you're rarely more than a short drive from fishable water.
3 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 3 spots
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Hazelhurst sits in the heart of Oneida County, where lakes are dense enough that you're rarely more than a short drive from fishable water. The local listings center on Twin Lakes and Skunk Lake, both offering lake fishing that suits anglers who want a quieter alternative to the more heavily pressured waters elsewhere in the Northwoods. Twin Lakes is a connected pair of basins, which means fish can move between them depending on season and conditions — worth keeping in mind when you're deciding where to set up. Skunk Lake is smaller and tends to draw less traffic, which can work in your favor if you're fishing on a summer weekend when the bigger-name lakes are crowded with boats. Wisconsin's Northwoods lake fishing typically runs from the walleye and bass opener in early May through late fall, with ice fishing extending the season well into winter on most Oneida County lakes. If you're driving up from out of town, pick up a current Wisconsin fishing license before you arrive — bait shops in Hazelhurst and nearby Rhinelander carry them and can give you a read on what's been hitting lately.
The listings on this page cover Twin Lakes and Skunk Lake, both within the Hazelhurst area. Twin Lakes is a two-basin system connected by a channel, while Skunk Lake is a smaller, lower-traffic option for anglers looking to avoid crowds.
Yes, anyone 16 or older needs a valid Wisconsin fishing license. You can purchase one online through the Wisconsin DNR, at local bait shops, or at sporting goods retailers in the Rhinelander area before heading out.
Twin Lakes
~32 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Sailor Lake Pavilion
~40 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Lac du Flambeau - Flambeau Lake Chain
~26 min drive
Easy
Smith Rapids Pavilion
~35 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Twin lakes
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Smith Rapids
~35 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Twin lakes
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Skunk Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Willow Lake
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Little Tomahawk Lake
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Sunday Lake
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
West Horsehead Lake
~17 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Also worth it near here
The open-water season runs roughly from the Wisconsin fishing opener in early May through November, with walleye, bass, and panfish all active through summer and into fall. Ice fishing is also viable on Oneida County lakes once ice thickness is safe, typically mid-December through February, though you should check local conditions before going out.
Early morning and the hour or two before sunset are consistently the most productive windows on Northwoods lakes, particularly for walleye and bass. Midday in summer can slow things down considerably, especially in clear-water lakes where fish push deeper.
Lake fishing on smaller, calmer waters like Skunk Lake is a reasonable starting point for beginners and families. You don't need specialized gear — a basic spinning setup with live bait covers most situations, and panfish like bluegill and perch are typically willing biters that make for good introductory fishing.
