Best Places to Fish in Wisconsin: Lake Metonga

By Jon Giacalone
Fishidy

A Northwoods gem, at 2,157 acres with a maximum depth of 79 feet, Lake Metonga is a popular Wisconsin fishing destination for a variety of species including jumbo perch, bluegill, walleye and pike. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass should not be overlooked here, however, as anglers report impressive catches of both species on a consistent basis.

For those interested in other natural inhabitants of the area, Lake Metonga also is home to bald eagles, loons, a variety of ducks, sandhill cranes, black bears and the rare roaming moose.

The warm-weathered months of summer and weekends especially are when the lake sees the most recreational traffic. Early mornings, late evenings or weekdays are recommended as the prime times to hit your fishing spots.

Interactive Lake Map

For a more detailed lake map and up-to-the-minute fishing reports, follow the Lake Metonga waterway page on Fishidy.

Here are some tips for locating and catching fish in Lake Metonga:

• Due to the clear water, it’s best to fish Lake Metonga on cloudy days or after dark. A good chop on the water also seems to improve the action.
• Mayfly wigglers are the top perch offering and are often the only bait they will hit.
• On the very northern end of the lake, work the two main humps for walleye from opening day through midsummer. Use vertical presentations and also look for suspended fish adjacent to the humps.
• Numerous cribs placed off the west shoreline of Lake Metonga attract walleye, perch and smallmouth.
• Fish the weeds in Farmers Bay for smallmouth bass and the occasional northern pike.
• The deep water at the south end of the lake produces excellent catches of late-summer, fall and winter perch. Wigglers are the preferred bait, but small minnows and crawler pieces also can produce.

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