Tomahawk Lake
Oneida County, Wisconsin
About Tomahawk Lake
Tomahawk Lake is a serious fishing destination in Oneida County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, covering 3,462 acres with a maximum depth of 84 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Musky, Panfish, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye. Note that invasive species (Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife, Rusty Crayfish, Yellow Iris) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 55% sand, 19% gravel, 21% rock, 5% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
45.83070° N, 89.64750° W
WBIC 1542700 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·Musky fishing is best in early morning and evening. Work weedlines and structural transitions with large bucktails or soft swimbaits.
- ·Wisconsin musky season typically opens the first Saturday in May. The fall bite (September–October) is peak for trophy fish.
- ·Walleye feed most actively at dawn and dusk. Jig along deep structural breaks or troll crankbaits along weedlines at 6–8 ft depth.
- ·Night fishing under a full moon can produce excellent walleye results from late June through August.
- ·Northern pike are ambush predators — target weed edges, fallen timber, and points with large spoons or swimbaits.
- ·Spring pike fishing (ice-out through June) can be outstanding as they move into shallow, warming bays to spawn.
- ·Largemouth bass relate to shallow structure. Work topwater lures at dawn in summer, then switch to soft plastics rigged weedless around lily pads and fallen wood.
- ·Bluegill and crappie stack up in 8–15 ft of water near weedlines. Small jigs tipped with a waxworm are hard to beat.
- ·Panfish are often excellent for kids and beginners — look for them around any dock or submerged brush piles.
Local's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
Tomahawk Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. With 3,462 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Tomahawk Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Tomahawk Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Oneida County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Tomahawk Lake is one of Oneida County's lesser-known gems — the kind of place locals return to year after year. Early mornings before 9am offer the calmest water and best fishing before boat traffic picks up. If you're visiting for the first time, check the DNR boat landing locations before you arrive — some are well-marked, others take a local to find. Know something about Tomahawk Lake that visitors should? Share a tip at staynorthern.com/contact — we add the best ones to this page.
Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Present
Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife, Rusty Crayfish, Yellow Iris
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice typically goes out in late April to early May on northern Wisconsin lakes. Walleye and bass fishing peaks from late May through June and again in September and October. Summer brings warm water temps ideal for swimming from late June through August. Fall color peaks in late September — some of the most dramatic foliage in the state. Snowmobile and ice fishing season runs December through March, with hard ice typically forming by late December.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Invasive Species Present
Banded Mystery Snail and Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish and Yellow Iris have been documented in Tomahawk Lake. Clean, drain, and dry all watercraft and equipment before leaving.
Report sightings to the Wisconsin DNR invasive species hotline.Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Tomahawk Lake?
Tomahawk Lake is home to Largemouth Bass, Musky (Common), Northern Pike, Panfish (Common), Smallmouth Bass (Common), and Walleye (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Tomahawk Lake?
Yes — Tomahawk Lake has 3 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Tomahawk Lake?
Tomahawk Lake has 3,462 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 84 feet, a mean depth of 33 feet.
What is the bottom of Tomahawk Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 55% sand, 19% gravel, 21% rock, 5% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Tomahawk Lake?
Yes — Banded Mystery Snail and Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish and Yellow Iris have been documented in Tomahawk Lake. Please clean, drain, and dry your watercraft and all equipment before leaving any Wisconsin water body to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Where is Tomahawk Lake located?
Tomahawk Lake is located in Oneida County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.8307° N, 89.6475° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Tomahawk Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Oneida County lakes. Check our Tomahawk Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Oneida County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Tomahawk Lake
| Species | Season | Min. Length | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | — |
| Lake Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Largemouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| 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. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. | — |
| Rock, Yellow, And White Bass | 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. | — |
| Round Goby | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| 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. | — |
| Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). | — |
| Trout | See specific regulations | https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/ . | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | A daily bag limit of one walleye that is at least 18 inches in length, but fish between 22 and 28 inches cannot be kept. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 1542700
- County
- Oneida County
- Surface Area
- 3,462 acres
- Max Depth
- 84 ft
- Mean Depth
- 33 ft
- Bottom
- 55% sand, 19% gravel, 21% rock, 5% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.8307, -89.6475
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Tomahawk Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (3)
Town of Lake Tomahawk · 715-277-2257
NHAL Recreation Team Leader · (715) 385-3355 Ext.119
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/29/2026.