Big Arbor Vitae Lake

Vilas, Wisconsin

Big Arbor Vitae Lake is a 1,070-acre lake in Vilas County with a maximum depth of 41 feet and low water clarity. WDNR lists musky and walleye as abundant.

Air temp in Woodruff, WI Loading current temperature…

Red pins match the numbered boat launches below. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Big Arbor Vitae Lake (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area1,070 acres

Max depth41 ft

Shoreline—

Boat motorsCheck local ordinances

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Muskellunge●●●●●

WDNR lists musky as abundant

Walleye●●●●○

Listed abundant by WDNR

Largemouth Bass●●●○○

Common per WDNR

Bluegill●●●○○

Panfish common per WDNR

Yellow Perch●●●○○

Panfish common per WDNR

Crappie●●●○○

Panfish common per WDNR

Boat launches

3 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

1Big Arbor Vitae Lake Boat LaunchPublic
North-side public rampDirections ↗
2Boat Landing at Big Arbor Vitae DrPublic
South-end public landingDirections ↗
More public accessPublic
See the WDNR lake page for all landingsDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.

Species	Min size	Daily limit
Walleye May 2, 2026-Mar 7, 2027	15 in (no 20-24 in; 1 over 24 in)	3 / day
Largemouth Bass May 2-June 19, 2026	14 in	5 / day
Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass June 20, 2026-Mar 7, 2027	14 in	5 / day
Smallmouth Bass May 2-June 19, 2026; catch and release only	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	0 / day
Northern Pike May 2, 2026-Mar 7, 2027	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	5 / day
Muskellunge May 2-Dec 31, 2026; open water only	40 in	1 / day
Panfish Open all year	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	25 / day
Catfish Open all year	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	10 / day
Lake Sturgeon Closed; no fishing allowed	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	0 / day

Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Wisconsin DNR ↗

Verified October 2026. Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Wisconsin DNR before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Dewey Catchem and How Bait ShopsNearby
Minocqua, WI715-358-5130 Directions ↗
Musky Shop (Rollie & Helen's)Nearby
7542 Hwy 51 S, Minocqua, WI 54548715-356-6011 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Big Arbor Vitae Lake ↗

Local tips

A long point off the south shore and mid-depth bays hold fish
Low clarity limits sight follows, so fish by feel and vary retrieves
Two public ramps: one north side, one at the south end

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.

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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.