Catfish Lake
Catfish Lake is a roughly 1,000-acre lake in Vilas County near Eagle River, part of the Eagle River chain of lakes. It has a maximum depth of 30 feet, an average depth of about 12 feet and low water clarity.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Musky
Big baits along weed edges, rock bars and channel breaks, best in fall.
Panfish
Bluegill, crappie and perch in weeds and brush. Great through the ice.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Catfish Lake public boat landingRampPublic boat landing; paved rampDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the WDNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye Includes sauger and hybrids; open May 2, 2026 - Mar 7, 2027 | Protected 14-18 in; only 1 over 18 in | 3 / day |
| Largemouth Bass May 2 - Jun 19, 2026; Jun 20, 2026 - Mar 7, 2027 combined with smallmouth | 14 in | 5 / day |
| Smallmouth Bass Catch and release only May 2 - Jun 19, 2026; Jun 20, 2026 - Mar 7, 2027 14 in, 5 / day | 14 in | 5 / day |
| Northern Pike Open May 2, 2026 - Mar 7, 2027 | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 5 / day |
| Muskellunge Includes hybrids; open water, May 2 - Dec 31, 2026 | 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 | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | Closed |
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.
- Guides Choice Pro ShopNearby4315 E Wall St, Eagle River715-477-2248Directions ↗
Local tips
- Walleye have a protected slot of 14-18 inches; only 1 over 18 inches may be kept.
- Eurasian water-milfoil, Chinese mystery snails and rusty crayfish are documented; clean, drain and dry your boat.
- Bottom is mostly sand and gravel with some muck and rock.
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.