Birch Lake (Vilas County)
Birch Lake is a 506-acre lake in Vilas County with a maximum depth of 45 feet and moderately clear water. WDNR lists musky, walleye, bass and panfish as common, and northern pike as present.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Muskellunge
Listed as common by WDNR
Walleye
Listed as common by WDNR
Largemouth Bass
Listed as common by WDNR
Smallmouth Bass
Listed as common by WDNR
Bluegill
Panfish listed as common by WDNR
Crappie
Panfish listed as common by WDNR
Northern Pike
Listed as present by WDNR
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Birch Lake public boat landingPublicWDNR lists 1 public landingDirections ↗
- 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 May 2, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 | None (only 1 fish over 14 in) | 3 / day |
| Largemouth Bass May 2-Jun 19, 2026; Jun 20, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 combined LMB/SMB limit of 5 | 14 in | 5 / day |
| Smallmouth Bass Jun 20, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 (combined with largemouth); May 2-Jun 19 catch and release only | 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 |
| Lake Sturgeon No fishing allowed | Closed | 0 |
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.
- Ronda's Bait & TackleNearby3189 Starlite Landing Dr, Land O Lakes, WI 54540(715) 547-6390Directions ↗
- Tackle BoxNearby4267 County Road B, Land O Lakes, WI 54540(715) 547-3434Directions ↗
- Minnow BucketNearby6104 County Rd E, Phelps, WI 54554(715) 547-3979Directions ↗
Local tips
- Walleye and smallmouth relate to rock and gravel structure
- Musky follow weed edges and shoreline cover
- 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.
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.