Metonga Lake Fishing
A 2,038-acre Wisconsin lake in Forest County, down to 79 feet.
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The basics of Metonga Lake for anglers
Metonga Lake is a lake of 2,038 acres lying in Forest County. The bottom drops to 79 feet at most, with a mean of 25 feet. For a home base, Crandon is roughly 2 miles away. It falls in the WDNR Northern Region. Its WDNR lake class is complex cool clear.
The state designates it an Outstanding Resource Water. Being in the ceded territory, it follows the three-walleye bag. Find a Lake shows smallmouth bass, walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish. Public launching comes through 3 public boat landings. About 10.8 feet of clarity, by the 2017 satellite estimate.
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Abundance labels for Metonga Lake come straight from the WDNR lake page.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Smallmouth Bass | Common |
| Walleye | Common |
| Largemouth Bass | Present |
| Northern Pike | Present |
| Panfish | Present |
WDNR on lakes like Metonga Lake
“Complex cool clear lakes can often support quality or action walleye fisheries, and can have great action fisheries for smallmouth bass.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Launching on Metonga Lake
- Metonga Lake – North Access3 lanes, 16 to 20 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Public Works Dept.
- Metonga Lake – East Access1 lane, 1 trailer stalls, Forest & Parks Dept.
- Metonga Lake – South Access1 lane, more than 25 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Forestry & Parks Dept.
Other launches near Metonga Lake
- Peshtigo Lake AccessPeshtigo Lake, 3 miles north
- Lucerne Lake AccessLucerne Lake, 4 miles southeast
- Little Sand Lake Access near CrandonLittle Sand Lake, 5 miles south
- Bradley Lake Access near CrandonBradley Lake, 5 miles southeast
- Mole Lake AccessMole Lake, 5 miles southwest
- Wabikon Lake AccessWabikon Lake, 6 miles east
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
Water quality and bottom at Metonga Lake
Expect a bottom of 45% sand, 45% gravel, 5% rock, 5% muck on Metonga Lake.
By water source, Metonga Lake counts as a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Invasive species the WDNR has confirmed in Metonga Lake: banded mystery snail, eurasian water-milfoil, rusty crayfish and zebra mussel. Clean boats and drain live wells before leaving the landing.
On Metonga Lake, local rules cover slow-no-wake areas, houseboat regulations.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Seasons and bag limits on Metonga Lake
For Metonga Lake, the DNR regulation search returns the rows shown here.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3. |
| Muskellunge and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Northern pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Lake sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Cisco and whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Rough fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
The all-species line for Metonga Lake reads: Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
The Forest County entry says: Forest County is in the ceded territory (see page 13 for additional ceded territory information). With the exceptions below, Northern Bass Zone rules apply (see page 12). Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person).
Pike rules here follow the zone north of Hwy 10; bass follow the Northern Bass Zone.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Metonga Lake against nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metonga Lake | 2,038 | 79 | 3 | complex cool clear | |
| Clear Lake, Forest County | 3 miles north | 71 | 11 | 0 | simple harsh has fishery |
| Lake Lucerne, Forest County | 3 miles east | 1,039 | 73 | 1 | complex two story |
| Peshtigo Lake | 3 miles north | 147 | 4 | 1 | simple cool dark |
| Devils Lake, Forest County | 3 miles east | 28 | 25 | 0 | simple cool clear |
| Rice Lake, Forest County | 5 miles southwest | 201 | 6 | 0 | simple warm dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Close to Metonga Lake
More water to try near Metonga Lake
- Clear Lake, Forest County3 miles north
- Lake Lucerne, Forest County3 miles east
- Peshtigo Lake3 miles north
- Devils Lake, Forest County3 miles east
- Rice Lake, Forest County5 miles southwest
Shops that serve Metonga Lake anglers
- Tamarack Outfitters LLCsporting goods store, Crandon, 2 miles
- Marina Onemarina, Summit Lake, 18 miles
- Patriot Baits And Jigsbait and tackle shop, Three Lakes, 22 miles
- Fishing Holebait and tackle shop, Rhinelander, 23 miles
- L And M Fleet Supply, 2200 Lincoln Streetfarm and general store with fishing gear, Rhinelander, 24 miles
- Walmart Rhinelanderfarm and general store with fishing gear, Rhinelander, 24 miles
Communities around Metonga Lake
- Crandon2 miles
- Mole Lake5 miles
- Argonne8 miles
Counties holding Metonga Lake
- Forest Countyseat: Crandon
Piscifun reels sized for Metonga Lake
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Water close to Metonga Lake in photographs
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Royalbroil, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Royalbroil, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: GaiusStat, CC BY 3.0
Common questions about fishing Metonga Lake
Where in Wisconsin is Metonga Lake?
Forest County holds it, WDNR Northern Region, about 2 miles from Crandon.
How deep does Metonga Lake get?
Roughly 2,038 acres and 79 feet at the deepest.
Which public landing serves anglers on Metonga Lake?
There are 3 mapped landings; Metonga Lake – North Access has the most lanes.
Is Metonga Lake good for panfish?
WDNR lists smallmouth bass (common), walleye (common), largemouth bass (present), northern pike (present) and panfish (present).
Which WDNR rules cover Metonga Lake?
For Walleye, sauger and hybrids, The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3.
Which Wisconsin license covers fishing Metonga Lake?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
What is the water like in Metonga Lake?
Satellite clarity about 10.8 feet (2017). Bottom: 45% sand, 45% gravel, 5% rock, 5% muck. WDNR class: complex cool clear. Type: drainage.
Where are minnows sold on the drive to Metonga Lake?
Drive 2 miles to reach Tamarack Outfitters LLC.
Do I need to clean my boat after Metonga Lake?
Yes, banded mystery snail, eurasian water-milfoil, rusty crayfish and zebra mussel.
Trailer up for Metonga Lake
Check the posted rules before keeping fish.