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Wisconsin · Fishing
Lincoln, Wisconsin sits in the heart of Oneida County's lake country, and the fishing here is straightforward in the best way: you're working smaller, quieter lakes rather than fighting crowds on the big-name waters nearby.
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Lincoln, Wisconsin sits in the heart of Oneida County's lake country, and the fishing here is straightforward in the best way: you're working smaller, quieter lakes rather than fighting crowds on the big-name waters nearby. Eagle Lake, Bear Trap Lake, Wazeda Lake, and Lake Lucerne are the four lakes with active listings in the area, and all four are classic northern Wisconsin lake fisheries. That means you can reasonably expect largemouth and smallmouth bass, panfish like bluegill and crappie, and northern pike depending on the lake. Walleye are common throughout Oneida County lakes as well, though you'll want to check current stocking and survey data through the Wisconsin DNR before assuming any specific lake holds them. Access is generally low-key — boat launches, modest shoreline, and the kind of fishing pace that rewards patience over horsepower. If you're driving up from the south, Lincoln is close enough to Rhinelander that you can grab a fishing license, bait, and local intel at a tackle shop before heading out. The lakes here aren't going to make a magazine cover, but they fish well and they're not crowded, which is often the better trade.
All four are northern Wisconsin inland lakes, so the most common targets are largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and northern pike. Walleye are present in many Oneida County lakes, but check the Wisconsin DNR's fish survey reports for each specific lake before planning a walleye trip — stocking and population levels vary.
Yes, anyone 16 or older needs a valid Wisconsin fishing license. You can buy one online through the Wisconsin DNR's Go Wild portal or in person at most bait shops and sporting goods stores in Rhinelander, which is the nearest larger town to Lincoln. Pick up a current regulation pamphlet at the same time — size and bag limits on species like walleye and bass are worth knowing before you're on the water.
Picnic Point
~18 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Chippewa
~38 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Smith Rapids Pavilion
~1h 21m drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Prairie River - Merrill Trout Section
~48 min drive
Moderate
Spearhead Point Shelter
~20 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Smith Rapids
~1h 21m drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Eastwood
~20 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Medford - Park Falls District
~1h 23m drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Spearhead Point
~20 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Sailor Lake Pavilion
~1h 13m drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
James Lake
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Rustic Lake
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Early morning and the hour or two before sunset are consistently the most productive windows on northern Wisconsin lakes, especially for bass and walleye. Midday fishing in summer can slow down significantly as water temperatures rise, though panfish like bluegill tend to bite throughout the day near weed edges.
A medium-light to medium spinning setup covers most situations across these lakes — it handles panfish and bass without being overkill. Bring a selection of jigs, soft plastics, and live bait options like nightcrawlers and leeches, which work reliably on Wisconsin inland lakes. If you're targeting northern pike, add a few wire leaders to your kit to avoid bite-offs.
These lakes are well-suited for beginners and families. Panfish like bluegill are abundant, easy to catch, and forgiving for kids learning to fish. The lakes are calm and manageable for small boats or canoes, and you don't need specialized gear or deep technical knowledge to have a productive day on the water.
