Rhinelander Flowage

Size
1,379ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Rhinelander Flowage
Bluegill
Bluegill
Northern pike
Northern pike
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Crappie
Crappie
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Walleye
Walleye
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Perch
Perch

Overview

Fishing Hot Spots' home water! Muskie in both quantity and quality. Nice bass, northerns and panfish, but navigate with caution, since this is a flowage. Heavy recreational use prompts low-light fishing unless you find a hot bay.

Rhinelander Flowage Map

Features

In 1882 the Rhinelander Flowage was formed when a mud and timber dam was constructed on the Wisconsin River to form a holding pond for lumber being floated down the river. At this time there were 8 sawmills in Rhinelander and the pond was named Boom Lake. By the early 1900’s the dam was rebuilt to generate power for the paper mill. Today the Rhinelander Flowage is known as the Rhinelander Chain of Lakes. Considered one of the best fishing destinations of Northern Wisconsin and hosts the famous Hodag Muskie challenge. A diverse fishery for walleye, smallmouth bass, crappie, northern pike and muskies makes this body of water a favorite spot with local anglers. Although numbers of muskies can be caught here, the flowage is known more for its propensity to produce large muskies in the 40 plus pound class.

Forage

White sucker, juvenile perch and crappie make up the majority of the forage base.

Weather

Current Weather Icon
63°Feels like 63°
High Temperature76°
Low Temperature47°
Sunrise
6:09 AM
Sunset
7:50 PM
Wind Direction
2 mph
Northwest
Precipitation
0 in
Rain
Pressure
30.09 inHg
Falling
Partly Cloudy
MondayMo
76° / 47°
Partly Cloudy with Showers and Chance of Storms
TuesdayTu
80° / 57°
Partly Cloudy with Scattered Showers and Isolated Storms
WednesdayWe
76° / 53°
Partly Cloudy with Showers
ThursdayTh
75° / 45°
Mostly Sunny
FridayFr
76° / 50°
Partly Cloudy with Showers
SaturdaySa
78° / 60°

Moon Phase

waxing gibbous
August 24, 2026
87% Illumination
waxing gibbous, getting brighter
Moon Rise and Set
Moon Rise 6:25 PM
Moon Set 2:02 AM
Moon Overhead Underfoot
Overhead 10:44 PM
Underfoot 10:20 AM
waxing gibbous
MondayMo08/24
waxing gibbous
TuesdayTu08/25
waxing gibbous
WednesdayWe08/26
waxing gibbous
ThursdayTh08/27
full moon
FridayFr08/28
waning gibbous
SaturdaySa08/29
waning gibbous
SundaySu08/30
Waterbody poster background

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Top Fish Species

Bluegill
Bluegill
4-10 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths