Cast a Line in Hodag Country

Fishing is fun and easy in Rhinelander—even if you’re not a natural angler like your favorite Hodag. Here are some tips and tricks on how to make the most of your next fishing getaway to Rhinelander.

Get your gear

You’re not going to catch many fish without the right gear. Luckily for you, Mel’s Trading Post in downtown Rhinelander is here to meet all your outdoors needs. Anglers will find rods, reels, lures and other fishing tackle (as well as helpful advice from locals) to help you track down musky, bass, panfish, walleye and more in Hodag Country’s lakes.

And how about getting out on the water? While many lakeside lodging properties allow guests to use boats for free or a small fee, visitors to Hodag Country can also head to Shoeder’s Marine in Rhinelander to rent pontoon boats, fishing boats and more by the day or week.

Look for a lake

You are in the Northwoods, so there’s no shortage of lakes where you can cast your line. Here’s a look at three iconic fishing spots in the Rhinelander Area.

• • Boom Lake: A flowage of the Wisconsin River, Boom Lake covers 365 acres in the heart of Rhinelander. This scenic site is a popular spot for watersports, and Hodag Park (located on the southern shore of the lake) offers swimming and a public boat landing. Anglers can find musky, panfish, bass, walleye and pike.

• • Lake George: Located a little southeast of Rhinelander off Highway 8, this 443-acre lake is a popular panfishing spot, but it’s also home to musky, bass, pike and walleye. Put your boat in at the public boat launch on Nostalgia Lane on the east side of the lake.

• • Lake Julia: Slightly smaller than the other two lakes mentioned here, Lake Julia is south of Rhinelander. It covers 240 acres and is another popular fishing spot in Hodag Country, with a healthy population of panfish. You can access the lake via a public boat launch on the west side of the lake.

Find a place to stay

Book a stay at a lakefront resort in Rhinelander and you’ve already solved the problem of where to fish on your next getaway to Hodag Country. West Bay Camping Resort sits on the shores of Lake Thompson and offers 10 primitive campsites, 45 campsites with full hook-ups and five fully equipped cabins on 1,700 feet of lakefront. Holiday Acres Resort, also on Lake Thompson, is a great spot for fishing—you can rent 6-horsepower motors to cruise the lake in one of the resort’s boats, and the resort also offers special fishing packages. Three G’s Resort on Lake George rents out cabins and cottages on the popular fishing lake and includes boats with each lodging rental (with a weekly motor rental at an additional charge).

See more places to stay in Rhinelander here.

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