Trude Lake
Trude Lake is a very clear 786-acre Iron County lake near Mercer with a maximum depth of 48 feet and average depth near 14 feet. Lake-Link lists musky, walleye, northern pike, bass and panfish.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Listed by Lake-Link/WDNR
Muskellunge
Listed by Lake-Link/WDNR
Northern Pike
Listed by Lake-Link/WDNR
Largemouth Bass
Listed by Lake-Link/WDNR
Smallmouth Bass
Listed by Lake-Link/WDNR
Bluegill
Panfish listed
Yellow Perch
Panfish listed
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Trude Lake public boat landingPublicWDNR and Lake-Link list 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; only one may be over 15 in | 12 in | 3 / day |
| Largemouth Bass May 2-June 19, 2026 | None (14-18 in may not be kept) | 5 / day (only 1 over 18 in) |
| Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass June 20, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 | None (14-18 in may not be kept) | 5 / day (only 1 over 18 in) |
| Smallmouth Bass May 2-June 19, 2026; catch and release only | 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 | 50 in | 1 / day |
| Panfish Open all year; crappie 10 in minimum (listed separately on page) | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 10 / day |
| Catfish Open all year | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 10 / day |
| Lake Sturgeon Closed; no fishing allowed | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 0 / 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.
- Turtle River Trading CompanyNearby5227 N Hwy 51, Mercer, WI 54547715-476-0123Directions ↗
Local tips
- Very clear water: use natural colors and light line
- Mostly sand bottom with rock and muck: fish transitions
- Check WDNR regulations 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.