Rainbow Flowage Fishing
A 3,153-acre Wisconsin flowage in Oneida County, down to 28 feet.
Pick for muskyPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Rhinelander: Chris Rycroft, CC BY 4.0
Getting acquainted with Rainbow Flowage
The WDNR lists Rainbow Flowage at 3,153 acres, a flowage in Oneida County. Depths reach 28 feet at the deepest spot. In a straight line, about 5 miles separates the lake from Lake Tomahawk. Fisheries work here comes out of the Northern Region. Lake class on the WDNR layer reads complex cool dark.
Musky are managed here, listed as self-sustaining via natural reproduction (cat. 1). Its walleye come from stocking plus natural reproduction, per the WDNR. Walleye rules here follow the ceded territory standard. Fish on its WDNR list include panfish, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, muskellunge and smallmouth bass. The WDNR access layer maps 5 public boat landings. WDNR satellite clarity is 4.7 feet for 2017.
For the musky herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 How abundant the fish are in Rainbow Flowage
The DNR sorts the Rainbow Flowage fishery into abundant, common and present groups.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Panfish | Abundant |
| Northern Pike | Common |
| Walleye | Common |
| Largemouth Bass | Present |
| Musky | Present |
| Smallmouth Bass | Present |
Walleye at Rainbow Flowage rely on stocking plus natural reproduction. The musky layer lists Rainbow Flowage as self-sustaining via natural reproduction (cat. 1).
The WDNR class note for Rainbow Flowage
“Complex cool dark lakes can often support quality or action walleye fisheries, and can have great action fisheries for yellow perch, and have the potential to produce quality northern pike and muskellunge fisheries.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Landings around Rainbow Flowage
- Rainbow Flowage – Dam Access2 lanes, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Wisconsin Valley Improvement
- Rainbow Flowage – Daves Landing Access2 lanes, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, NHAL Recreation Team Leader
- Rainbow Flowage – Stormy Landing Road. Access1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, NHAL Recreation Team Leader
- Rainbow Flowage – Oxbow Road Accesscarry-in, NHAL Recreation Team Leader
- Rainbow Flowage – Rainbow Lake Road Carry-In Boat Landingcarry-in, NHAL Recreation Team Leader
Public landings near Rainbow Flowage
- Dog Lake Access near Eagle RiverDog Lake, 1 mile northwest
- Rainbow Flowage AccessSwamp Creek, 1 mile south
- Pickerel Lake Access near Eagle RiverPickerel Lake, 2 miles northwest
- Gilmore Lake AccessGilmore Lake, 2 miles west
- Wisconsin River – Hwy D AccessWisconsin River, 3 miles southwest
- Buffalo Lake Access near Eagle RiverBuffalo Lake, 3 miles northwest
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
Depth and bottom of Rainbow Flowage
Under the water, Rainbow Flowage is 65% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 25% muck, per the DNR.
Hydrologically, Rainbow Flowage is a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Rainbow Flowage has these invasive species on file: banded mystery snail, chinese mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed, eurasian water-milfoil and rusty crayfish. Rinse gear before the next lake.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
The rule table for Rainbow Flowage
WDNR lists these Rainbow Flowage seasons and bag rules species by species.
| 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 50" 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 WDNR record for Rainbow Flowage adds: Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with 1 hook, bait, or lure per angler, and 3 hooks, baits, or lures maximum per boat.
County text for Oneida: Oneida 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 (one hook, bait or lure per person; three lines maximum per boat).
Rainbow Flowage is north of US Highway 10 for pike, and in the Northern Bass Zone for bass.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Rainbow Flowage beside its neighbors
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Flowage | 3,153 | 28 | 5 | complex cool dark | |
| Dog Lake near Lake Tomahawk, Oneida County | 1 mile northwest | 37 | 8 | 1 | simple warm dark |
| Pickerel Lake near Lake Tomahawk, Oneida County, 581 acres | 2 miles north | 581 | 17 | 1 | complex cool dark |
| Gilmore Lake, Oneida County | 2 miles west | 314 | 24 | 1 | complex cool dark |
| Pier Lake near Lake Tomahawk, Oneida County | 2 miles southwest | 87 | 23 | 0 | simple warm dark |
| Woodcock Lake | 3 miles south | 62 | 24 | 0 | simple warm dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
In reach of Rainbow Flowage
Other Wisconsin lakes close to Rainbow Flowage
- Dog Lake near Lake Tomahawk, Oneida County1 mile northwest
- Pickerel Lake near Lake Tomahawk, Oneida County, 581 acres2 miles north
- Gilmore Lake, Oneida County2 miles west
- Pier Lake near Lake Tomahawk, Oneida County2 miles southwest
- Woodcock Lake3 miles south
Tackle shops a short drive from Rainbow Flowage
- Last Cast Outfitterssporting goods store, St Germain, 4 miles
- Captain Hooksbait and tackle shop, Lake Tomahawk, 5 miles
- Lt Bait Incbait and tackle shop, Lake Tomahawk, 5 miles
- Arbor Vitae Campgroundbait and tackle shop, Arbor Vitae, 8 miles
- Hawks Nest Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Eagle River, 9 miles
- Up North Tradersbait and tackle shop, Sayner, 9 miles
Nearby Wisconsin towns for Rainbow Flowage
- Lake Tomahawk5 miles
- Woodruff9 miles
- Sayner9 miles
County pages for Rainbow Flowage
- Oneida Countyseat: Rhinelander
Gear from Piscifun for Rainbow Flowage
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Shoreline scenes a drive from Rainbow Flowage
Photo: Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
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Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris Rycroft, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Squirrel lake, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick facts people look up on Rainbow Flowage
How far is Rainbow Flowage from the nearest Wisconsin town?
In Oneida County, WDNR Northern Region, about 5 miles from Lake Tomahawk.
How big is Rainbow Flowage by the WDNR count?
About 3,153 acres and 28 feet at the deepest.
Which landing should I use to launch on Rainbow Flowage?
Try Rainbow Flowage – Dam Access, one of 5 mapped landings.
Does the WDNR list walleye in Rainbow Flowage?
Find a Lake names panfish (abundant), northern pike (common), walleye (common), largemouth bass (present), muskellunge (present) and smallmouth bass (present).
What can I keep from Rainbow Flowage?
Walleye, sauger and hybrids, per WDNR: 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.
Is a stamp needed on Rainbow Flowage?
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 lake class is Rainbow Flowage?
Satellite clarity about 4.7 feet (2017). Bottom: 65% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 25% muck. WDNR class: complex cool dark. Type: drainage.
Where can I buy bait on the way to Rainbow Flowage?
Closest on our list: Last Cast Outfitters, 4 miles.
Does Rainbow Flowage have zebra mussels?
The DNR records banded mystery snail, chinese mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed, eurasian water-milfoil and rusty crayfish.
Put Rainbow Flowage on this year's Wisconsin list
Buy a Go Wild license before the drive.