Size
1,379ac
Boat Launch
Carry-in Launch
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Species in Boom Lake
Bluegill
Crappie
Northern pike
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Perch
Muskellunge
Smallmouth bass
Walleye
Largemouth bass
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.
Boom Lake Map
Fishing Regulations
Special Fishing Regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.
Special Waterbody Regulations
- Bag limits are for fish caught in all lakes in the RHINELANDER CHAIN including BASS LAKE T37N R09E S30, BOOM LAKE, THUNDER LAKE 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.
Special Species Regulations
- Ruffe: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
- Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
- Trout and salmon: See Trout regulations layer.
- White perch: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
- Bluegill: See Panfish.
- Bowfin: See Rough Fish.
- Channel catfish: See Catfish.
- Crappies: See Panfish.
- Flathead catfish: See Catfish.
- Hybrid, Striped, Yellow, and White Bass: See Rock, Yellow and White Bass.
- Longnose gar: See Rough Fish.
- Northern pike: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5
- Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: June 21, 2025 to March 1, 2026: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5
- Largemouth bass: May 3, 2025 to June 20, 2025: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5
- Sauger and hybrids: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
- Smallmouth bass: May 3, 2025 to June 20, 2025: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only)
- Paddlefish: Closed. No fishing allowed.
- Walleye: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
- Urban waters gamefish: This waterbody is not considered an urban water, Urban Waters Gamefish regulations do not apply.
- Shortnose gar: See Rough Fish.
- Rock, Yellow, and White Bass: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
- Muskellunge and hybrids: May 24, 2025 to December 31, 2025: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1
- Lake sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
- Panfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 15, during May and June, but only 5 of any one species may be kept. During the remainder of the season, 25 panfish may be kept
- Walleye, Saugers, and Hybrids: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: 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
- Bullheads: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
- Catfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
- Cisco and whitefish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
- Rough fish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
- Round goby: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
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.
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Top Fish Species
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
2023
May
2023
Oct
