Natural lake

Kentuck Lake

Forest / Vilas, Wisconsin

Kentuck Lake is a roughly 1,001-acre lake straddling Forest and Vilas counties with a maximum depth of about 40 feet (average 13) and low water clarity. Lake-Link lists musky, panfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass and walleye.

Air temp in Phelps, WI Loading current temperature…

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Kentuck Lake (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area1,001 acres

Max depth40 ft

Shoreline—

Boat motorsCheck local ordinances

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Walleye●●●○○

Listed by Lake-Link

Muskellunge●●●○○

Listed by Lake-Link

Smallmouth Bass●●●○○

Listed by Lake-Link

Largemouth Bass●●●○○

Listed by Lake-Link

Bluegill●●●○○

Panfish listed

Yellow Perch●●●○○

Panfish listed

Boat launches

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

Public boat landingPublic
Lake-Link lists 2 public boat launchesDirections ↗
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
Walleye 20-24 in may not be kept; only 1 over 24 in; May 2, 2026 - Mar 7, 2027	15 in	3 / day
Largemouth Bass May 2 - Jun 19, 2026	18 in	1 / day
Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass Jun 20, 2026 - Mar 7, 2027	18 in	1 / day
Smallmouth Bass Catch and release only May 2 - Jun 19, 2026	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	0 / 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; max 5 yellow perch	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 ↗

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.

Tackle Box Sport & Gift ShopNearby
4267 County Road B, Land O'Lakes, WI 54540(715) 547-3434 Directions ↗
Ronda's Bait & TackleNearby
Land O Lakes, WI 54540(715) 547-6390 Directions ↗
Up North TradersNearby
2977 State Highway 155, Sayner, WI 54560(715) 542-2046 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Kentuck Lake ↗

Local tips

Low clarity: bright or vibrating lures help
Sand and rock areas suit smallmouth and walleye
Clean boat and gear: Eurasian water-milfoil is present

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.