Moen Chain of Lakes

   The Moen Chain lies about 10 minutes northeast of Rhinelander in Oneida County and consists of five connected lakes—Moen, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth—linked by short stretches of the Pelican River. Moen Lake is the hub of the system and the largest waterbody at roughly 460–461 acres, while Fourth and Fifth lakes each add more than 200 acres and Second and Third provide smaller, more intimate pockets, bringing the total chain area to a bit over 1,100 acres of interconnected water. The layout feels like a classic flowage‑style chain, with low, tan‑stained water, gently rolling shorelines, and a mix of open basins and narrower riverlike runs between basins. The Moen Chain is known as a shallow, action‑oriented fishery. Moen Lake averages only about 8 feet deep with a maximum depth around 11 feet, and bottom composition dominated by sand with some gravel, rock, and muck, creating expansive weed beds, shoreline flats, and subtle breaks. Special chain‑wide regulations group Moen with Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth lakes, reflecting the fact that anglers effectively fish them as one system for musky, walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, and plentiful panfish. The shallow, fertile character supports strong numbers of eater‑size fish and good musky opportunity, and articles and guide reports regularly highlight the chain for consistent action rather than extreme depth or trophy structure. Low to moderate clarity means classic dark‑water presentations—spinnerbaits, bucktails, plastics, and noisy topwaters—play well from spring through fall. Shoreline use is a blend of cabin country and modest year‑round homes, with a public boat landing on Moen Lake providing the main access point for visitors. The Moen Lake Chain Association is active in water‑quality monitoring, habitat protection, and access discussions, and local materials describe the chain as part of the broader Wisconsin River reservoir system, emphasizing its role in a larger watershed puzzle. For Rhinelander‑area anglers and boaters, the Moen Chain offers a convenient, close‑to‑town option where you can slide from one lake to another over the course of a day without ever leaving a shallow, productive, and distinctly Northwoods setting.