Big Crooked Lake

Vilas, Wisconsin

Big Crooked Lake is a 665-acre lake near Boulder Junction in Vilas County with a maximum depth of 34 feet and clear water. Lake-Link lists musky, walleye, bass and panfish.

Air temp in Boulder Junction, WI Loading current temperature…

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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

Surface area665 acres

Max depth34 ft

Shoreline—

Boat motorsCheck local ordinances

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Muskellunge●●●○○

Known musky water per Lake-Link

Smallmouth Bass●●●○○

Large smallmouth reported by anglers

Walleye●●○○○

Present per Lake-Link

Largemouth Bass●●○○○

Present per Lake-Link

Bluegill●●○○○

Panfish listed on Lake-Link

Crappie●●○○○

Panfish listed on Lake-Link

Boat launches

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

Big Crooked Lake public boat landingPublic
Public landing availability not confirmed; check WDNR lake pageDirections ↗
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
Largemouth bass May 2-Jun 19, 2026 (then combined with smallmouth Jun 20, 2026-Mar 7, 2027)	14"	5
Smallmouth bass May 2-Jun 19, 2026; Jun 20, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 combined bass 14" min, 5	catch and release only	0
Muskellunge and hybrids May 2-Dec 31, 2026 open water	40"	1
Northern pike May 2, 2026-Mar 7, 2027	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	5
Walleye, sauger, hybrids May 2, 2026-Mar 7, 2027	15" min; 20"-24" may not be kept, only 1 over 24"	3
Panfish Open all year	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	25
Catfish Open all year	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	10
Cisco and whitefish Open all year	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	10

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.

Northern Highland SportsNearby
10369 Main St, Boulder Junction, WI 54512(715) 385-2134 Directions ↗
Jacks JigsNearby
5541 Shamrock Rd, Boulder Junction, WI 54512(715) 385-3335 Directions ↗
We Tie It Fly ShopNearby
5570 County Road M, Boulder Junction, WI 54512(715) 385-0171 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Big Crooked Lake ↗

Local tips

Clear water: use natural colors and fish low light periods
Rock and gravel areas hold smallmouth
Check WDNR regulations for musky and walleye before keeping fish

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.

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