Lake Wausau is a flowage at the confluence of the Eau Claire River, the Big Rib River and the Wisconsin River. It has 1,918 of surface acres and it has a 30' maximum depth. The lake is very fertile and the water clarity is dark stained. It is a lake that receives heavy fishing pressure for it's abundant panfish, both during the open water season and the ice fishing season.
Weather fishing Lake Wausau for muskie in the spring, summer,or fall, one must always remember that it is a river system and muskies in a river system will almost always be relating to the current. Eddies that are formed by current breaks such as a large boulder(s), a downed tree, an island, a piont or a bend in the river will always harbor muskie. This will concentrate the muskie population and the muskie angler should jump from spot to spot, looking for that pocket of muskies that are active. Often, numbers of muskies can be boated from a relatively small area.
Baits of all sizes can be used on Lake Wausau in the spring. The key is to work the baits slower, keeping the lure in the muskie's strike zone in this stained water. From the opening bell, topwater baits work well as with jerkbaits, bucktails and crankbaits. Shallow backwater areas that warm up quickly along with the many sand bars can attract the early season muskie.
Fishing for muskie in the summer on Lake Wausau can be as good as any lake in the north woods. The lake is dotted with bars that have fish holding cover such as wood, or weeds, or rocks. Remembering that these muskie will be relating to the current, set yourself up current from the cover where the muskies will be roaming, actively looking for food. Cast your baits toward the cover but also set yourself down current and fish the points of the cover where the current will rap around the obstruction creating an eddy. The muskies that set up on the edges of eddies are not generally roaming, but are stationary to pick off an easy meal. They are normally in a positive feeding mode and are easier to entice. Fluorescent colors, along with gold, copper or brass blades on bucktails are the colors of choice.
Fall time is a very exciting time to be fishing for muskies on Lake Wausau. The muskies tend to concentrate even more and it is possible to anchor just outside a honey hole and reel in fish after fish until your arms ache. Big jerkbaits and large crankbaits receive most of the muskies attention on the lake. Keeping it slow, in their zone, and a little erratic, will score on Lake Wausau muskie.