Musky Shop Northwoods Lake of the Month: Sweeny Lake
Sweeny Lake, nestled in the picturesque Oneida County of Wisconsin, is a true angler's paradise, especially for those chasing the elusive musky. This 191-acre lake, with its maximum depth of 18 feet, offers a diverse underwater habitat that includes mostly sand, but also gravel, rock, and muck, perfect for musky to thrive. Sweeny Lake is not only abundant with musky but also has plenty of other species, such as, panfish, northern pike, and walleye, providing a well-rounded fishing experience.
Sweeny lake is accessible via a public boat landing on the North side of the lake, making it convenient for anglers to start their adventure. Though it does feature a landing, you might feel like you’ve escaped to the middle of Nowhereville to target the elusive musky. Despite the feeling, you will thank us later when the jet skis and swimmers are nowhere to be found. Whether you're a seasoned musky hunter or a beginner eager to land your first catch, Sweeny Lake's waters promise an exciting challenge with the potential for a rewarding catch.
When targeting muskies on Sweeny, it’s important to gather the best possible places to cast. As the lake can get quite shallow near shore, you can move to deeper water for bomb casts that would cover much of the depths available. There are coontails, lily pads, and at least one rocky reef that provide muskies with both cover and structure they like. Take along some topwater lures, bucktails, and shallow gliders.
As Sweeny Lake is slightly stained, it is a great opportunity to step into some prominent color patterns that might get the muskies excited. This is a chance to throw some chartreuse heavy patterns and hot colors that you might have avoided on other clear lakes in the Northwoods. As always, black will always be a great backup in stained water, but as mentioned, don’t box yourself in here with pattern and color.
Sweeny Lake is a great place for a day trip as it’s small size will allow you to cover the water quickly and methodically without losing daylight in the process. If you finish early, be sure to stop by the charming town of Woodruff. It’s not every day you will get the chance to lay eyes on the world’s largest penny! There are plenty of quaint stays and places to eat in the area, as well as, kayaking lakes, walking trails, wildlife, and picturesque vistas. If you want to catch the elusive musky, this is a great place to start with a lot of history and beauty to heal the soul on a long or short trip.