Big Lake (Vilas County)
Big Lake is a deep, clear lake in Vilas County near Boulder Junction. It is known for smallmouth bass, walleye, muskie and black crappie.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Smallmouth Bass
5,502 caught in the 2021-22 creel survey
Walleye
Common; harvested fish averaged 14.4 inches
Muskellunge
Common
Crappie
Black crappie averaged 10.7 inches in the creel survey
Largemouth Bass
Present
Northern Pike
Present
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Big Lake public boat landings (2)RampWDNR lists 2 public landings. Check the sign for local rules.Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the WDNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Big Lake (Vilas County) are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Wisconsin DNR ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Northern Highland SportsNearby10369 Main St, Boulder Junction, WI 54512715-385-2134Directions ↗
Local tips
- The lake drops to 61 feet with clear water, so fish deeper structure in bright sun.
- Smallmouth were nearly all released in the creel survey. Check current bass rules before you keep any.
- Several invasive species are present, so clean, drain and dry your boat.
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.