Largemouth Bass

Oakdale, Wisconsin, offers some under-the-radar largemouth bass fishing, mainly within its numerous small lakes and flowages. These bodies of water, often overlooked by larger-lake anglers, hold surprisingly good populations of bass. The best time to target largemouth here is during the pre-spawn (late spring) and fall months. During the pre-spawn, focus on shallow bays and weedlines as bass move in to prepare for spawning. In the fall, as the water cools, bass will often school up and feed aggressively before winter. Consider using weedless lures like spinnerbaits or Texas-rigged worms to navigate the abundant vegetation. A helpful tip: many of these lakes have limited public access, so scout out access points beforehand. Also, pay attention to local fishing regulations, as some lakes may have specific size or harvest restrictions. Expect to find a mix of sizes, with the chance of hooking into a real lunker.