Big St. Germain Lake
Big St. Germain Lake is a 1,622-acre lake in Vilas County with a maximum depth of 42 feet and a mean depth near 21 feet. WDNR lists musky, northern pike, walleye and panfish as common and describes low water clarity.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Muskellunge
Listed as common by WDNR
Northern Pike
Listed as common by WDNR
Walleye
Listed as common by WDNR
Bluegill
Panfish listed as common
Crappie
Panfish listed as common
Largemouth Bass
Listed as present by WDNR
Smallmouth Bass
Listed as present by WDNR
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- North shore state boat launchPublicPaved ramp per Wikipedia and Vilas County siteDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee 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 Walleye, sauger and hybrids; 20 in to 24 in may not be kept; only one over 24 in; May 2, 2026 - Mar 7, 2027 | 15 in | 3 / day |
| Largemouth Bass May 2 - Jun 19, 2026 (smallmouth catch and release only during this period) | 14 in | 5 / day |
| Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass Jun 20, 2026 - Mar 7, 2027 | 14 in | 5 / 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 |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Wisconsin DNR ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Last Cast Fishing OutfittersNearby544 Hwy 155, St. Germain, WI 54558715-542-4882Directions ↗
Local tips
- Stained water favors brighter or higher-contrast lures
- Work weed edges and drop-offs
- Check WDNR for the current musky length limit
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Wisconsin lakes
Lake Puckaway Lake DuBay Lake Winneshiek Lake Winneconne Willow Flowage Lake Vieux Desert Lac Vieux Desert Trout Lake All Wisconsin lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.