Fun in the Sun and Fresh Air: Your Travel Guide to Minocqua Wisconsin!

Apr 20, 2024

Get ready for warm weather weekends and plan those Summer Vacation itineraries! We’re coming at you with another fantastic travel guide to help you make the most of your adventure excursions. With one of the country’s largest concentrations of freshwater lakes, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular destination for anglers and outdoor aficionados.

If standing and waiting patiently for something to swim by and take the bait isn’t your idea of excitement, you can leave the fishermen to their moment of zen and pursue some adrenaline. There’s also a plethora of outdoor excursions and adventures to be had besides fishing!

Tips for Fishing in Minocqua

Game fishing season opens the first Saturday of every May for walleye, northern pike, and bass, but you can snag perch, crappie, and bluegill as open options year round. During the month of May through the first week of June walleye northern pike crappie perch and bluegill are top priority. But where to start on your journey to the catch of the season? Let’s try the Minocqua Chain of Lakes region!

The Minocqua Chain of Lakes area encompasses 5 different lakes with ample opportunities to catch plenty of impressive fish. First up is Tomahawk Lake, a 3,462 acre lake that’s 84 feet deep with unparalleled clarity. You’ll find muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. Minocqua Lake has 1,339 acres and is 60 feet deep with moderately clear water. You’ll find muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and panfish. Kawaguesaga lake is 700 acres and 44 feet deep; you’ll find panfish to be the most common catch followed by muskie, smallmouth bass, and walleye. Mid Lake is 221 acres, and just 12 feet deep; its most common catches are muskie, northern pike, and panfish. Little Tomahawk Lake is 153 acres and 48 feet deep; common catches here include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass,walleye, and muskie.

If you’d like to branch out and try some new fishing spots, we recommend heading just outside the Chain of Lakes region to these three fine destinations! Squirrel Lake is a gorgeous 1,309 acre lake with a 46 foot depth, and anglers have noted muskie, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish as the most common fish to catch, although northern pike have been found as well. Clear Lake is 95 feet deep and 873 acres, with common catches including muskie, walleye, trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and panfish. Shishebogama Lake is 700 acres and 42 feet deep and a great spot to snag some muskie, walleye, largemouth bass, and panfish.

Fun for the Angler-Averse

For the adventurous traveler, we highly recommend trying out the Northwoods Zip Line Adventure Tour! It’s one of the most popular activities in the area since opening in 2014. You’ll take a heart pounding zipline tour of the forest canopy, and see the area like never before. If you’re looking to make a memory that will really stick with you, this is the activity for you. There’s nothing quite like the wind whipping through your hair and the magnificent view of the woodlands and lake region. Plus, you can book a package to try their other activities and make a day of it.

For another unique perspective of the Minocqua area, consider booking a horseback trail riding session! Nearby Rock Falls Riding Stable offers guided trail tours for all ages. Your knowledgeable local guide will lead you through the forest and help you identify plants and wildlife as well as answer your questions about equine interests. Plus, they offer a wonderful option for families with a package offering 18-hole mini golf, a 45-min horseback ride, and go-karts, which just can’t be beat for the value.

HIking and mountain biking enthusiasts will be enamored with the incredible scenery and well-groomed trails of the Bearskin State Trail area. Hikers and walkers will enjoy the nice woodsy trail, and if you keep your eyes peeled there’s plenty of local wildlife to observe as well. Bring your camera and you may be treated to some really fabulous nature photography ops.

Another fantastic excursion is a visit to the Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo and Nature Center, an incredible 168 acre zoo and safari park. Explore, observe, and learn facts about more than a thousand animals encompassing more than two hundred species! It’s the second largest zoo in Wisconsin, and is just a short drive away from the fisherman’s paradise. You can opt to stroll on your own, or take a guided tour from the local staff.

As you can see, there’s plenty of reasons that this is one of the best nature inspired vacations in Wisconsin! Feel free to tell us about your favorite places in the Minocqua area and we may just feature them in a future blog post.