Upper Buckatabon Lake

Vilas, Wisconsin

Upper Buckatabon Lake is a 493-acre lake in Vilas County with a maximum depth of 47 feet, a mean depth of about 20 feet and moderately clear water. Lake-Link lists musky, walleye, northern pike, bass and panfish, with one public boat launch.

Air temp in Conover, WI Loading current temperature…

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Upper Buckatabon Lake (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area493 acres

Max depth47 ft

Shoreline—

Boat motorsCheck local ordinances

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Bluegill●●●○○

Panfish praised by anglers on Lake-Link

Crappie●●●○○

Panfish praised by anglers on Lake-Link

Largemouth Bass●●●○○

Reported by anglers on Lake-Link

Smallmouth Bass●●●○○

Reported by anglers on Lake-Link

Muskellunge●●○○○

Reported present

Northern Pike●●○○○

Reported present

Walleye●●○○○

Reported present

Boat launches

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

Upper Buckatabon Lake public boat landingPublic
Lake-Link lists 1 public landingDirections ↗
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 May 2, 2026-Mar 7, 2027	15 in (20-24 in may not be kept; 1 over 24 in allowed)	3 / day
Largemouth Bass May 2-Jun 19, 2026; Jun 20, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 combined LMB/SMB limit of 5	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	5 / day
Smallmouth Bass Jun 20, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 (combined with largemouth); May 2-Jun 19 catch and release only	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	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 ↗

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.

Northern Waters Angling & ArcheryNearby
160 US Highway 45, Conover, WI 54519(715) 477-2224 Directions ↗
R & M Musky ShopNearby
5196 State Highway 70 W, Eagle River, WI 54521(715) 477-0019 Directions ↗
Eagle Sports CenterNearby
Eagle River, WIDirections ↗

Search more bait shops near Upper Buckatabon Lake ↗

Local tips

Fish weed edges and sandy flats for panfish and bass
Muskies are present but described as elusive
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.