'Angler's Paradise' seems so cliche but we do have large rivers, quiet lakes, and fast moving creeks and streams. There's a lot more water than you might think in Wausau/Central Wisconsin. Choose from the winding Wisconsin River or one of its tributaries like the Eau Claire River, Rib River, or Big Eau Pleine Reservoir. The Wisconsin River widens in several places to create Lake Wausau, Half Moon Lake in Mosinee, and Lake DuBay. In addition to the Plover River, there are several small lakes east of the Wausau area including Mission Lake, Pike Lake, and Big Bass Lake. As you can see, there's a lot of great fishing to be had in the Wausau Area. Here's some advice to help you land the most common 'catch of the day' on the Wisconsin River.

Spring and early summer are the best times to try for these popular fish.

You can catch some nice Bluegills in the deeper water of the south part of Lake Wausau by the Highway 29 Bridge. The traditional worm on a hook under a bobber works well.

Spring is the best time to fish for Crappie. In April and May look for active fish around brush piles and fallen trees around Lake Wausau. Shallow bays on the north side of the lake get a lot of sun exposure, warming faster in the spring, attracting a lot of spawning Crappies. Small minnows on 1/32 oz. Jigs under a bobber or jigged off the bottom work the best.

Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass are actually elongated sunfishes. Both can be found in the Wisconsin River and its flowages, but Smallmouth Bass are much more numerous and easier to catch.
In the spring, the Bass hold tight to the shorelines with cover like brush or downed trees. Smallmouth Bass also like rock piles because they feed on the crayfish that are found there. Largemouth Bass like to use weed beds or lily pads for cover to ambush their prey as it comes by. Look for active bass in shallow warm bays that get a lot of sun exposure.
In summer when the water warms up, mornings and evenings are the best times to be out. Large minnows and night crawlers worked around the structure by Snake Bridge is a good place to try, as are the rocks and dam by Oak Island Park.

One of the more popular game fish, the Wisconsin River produces trophy Walleyes each year. Anglers have caught fish over 10 lbs and exceeding 30' in length on the river and its flowages including Lake Wausau, Lake Du Bay, and the Eau Pleine Reservoir.
Walleye spawning migration occurs in April and they tend to run up stream and congregate below the dams on the river. The best ones to keep for dinner are the 15' to 19' Walleyes. Since these are spawning fish, it's a good idea to release all fish over 20' because these are the larger spawners that need to stay in the system to keep the fish population abundant.
In the summer months, Walleyes prefer night crawlers or leaches. They tend to swim the main part of the lake or river and relate to structure such as weed beds, drop offs, mud flats, or shorelines with deep edges and downed trees. In the fall as the water cools, large minnows are the bait of choice.

Both the Northern and the Muskellunge are members of the Pike family, and characterized by big, toothy jaws and fins that are set far back.

Northern Pike are found throughout the river system, but seem to prefer the shallow bays and weed beds. In the spring look for shallow bays that will warm fast and have lots of baitfish active in them. On Lake Wausau, try the back bays and weedy sloughs found around Gulliver's Landing and the big bay on the east end of Lake Wausau where the Eau Claire River empties into the Wisconsin River.

The Wisconsin State Fish is the top predator game fish in the river system. It is said to be the fish of ten thousand casts. Many anglers have had Muskies 'steal' their smaller fish as they were being reeled in. Muskies have been known to eat frogs, muskrats, chipmunks, and small ducks. Championship Musky fishing is available today due to stocking programs and the angler's practice of 'catch and release.' After a quick photo and measurement, they'll turn this King of Freshwater Fish free to fight again and give another angler a thrill of a lifetime. Lake Wausau and the Wisconsin River produce trophy Muskies every year. Fish in the 20-pound class are fairly common and a few 30 pounders are caught each year. In the spring when the water is cooler, try fishing the shallow bays that warm up faster and the weed beds that have the greenest weeds. The Rib River tributary is a good area to try, as are the weed beds around Snake Bridge by Gulliver's Landing. Summer time fishing for Muskies is usually best early in the morning or in the evening when there is less boat traffic. Fall is about the best time to be on the water. Boat traffic is light and the cooler water temperature encourages Muskies to fatten up before winter. Take advantage of baitfish making their way out of streams into the main part of the river by fishing the mouths of any river or stream coming into the Wisconsin River. Musky season in Central Wisconsin usually starts the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and runs through November 30th.