Eagle River Chain of Lakes


The Eagle River Chain Of Lakes consists of 9 lakes that total nearly 3,600 acres of water.  This area has plenty of resorts & lodges, cabins and cottages to go along with excellent fishing resources to help you put more fish in the boat.  There are numerous bait shops and fishing guides that offer plenty of their local knowledge to help you on your fishing trip.  The fishing is very good on the chain of lakes for walleye and muskie.  Anglers also target crappie, perch, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, rock bass and bluegill.  The 9 lakes of the Eagle River Chain are:  Catfish Lake, Cranberry Lake, Duck Lake, Eagle Lake, Lynx Lake, Otter Lake, Scattering Rice Lake, Voyageur Lake, Watersmeet Lake and Yellow Birch Lake.  Learn more about the lakes below.


Catfish Lake


Catfish Lake is part of the Eagle River Chain of Lakes.  It is located in Eagle River, Wisconsin of Vilas County.  The lake totals 1,012 acres and has a maximum depth of 30 feet.  Catfish Lake is known as one of the better lakes on the chain for walleye and muskie. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and northern pike are considered present.  Panfish anglers can target crappie, perch, rock bass and bluegill.



Cranberry Lake


Cranberry Lake is a good-sized lake on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes.  It is a popular lake on the chain to fish for walleye.  Fishing is good for other species of fish as well.  Other fish include panfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and muskie.  The Wisconsin DNR lists muskie, panfish and walleye as common in this lake.  Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are listed as present.



Duck Lake


Duck Lake is a smaller lake on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes.  It is located near Eagle River, Wisconsin of Vilas County.  The lake totals 108 acres and has a maximum depth of 20 feet.  This lake gets quite a bit of boat traffic during the summer, which makes fishing the deep hole quite difficult at times.  There are good numbers of walleye and muskie in this lake, but it’s a tough lake to fish if you’re looking for trophy fish.  Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and northern pike are considered present.  Crappie, perch, bluegill and rock bass are available for panfish anglers.



Eagle Lake


Eagle Lake is one of the better lakes on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes.  It is located near Eagle River, Wisconsin of Vilas County.  The lake totals 572 acres and has a maximum depth of 34 feet.  This lake offers anglers a better chance of catching a trophy-sized walleye or muskie.  There are also good numbers of walleye and muskie in this lake. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and northern pike are considered present.  Crappie, perch, bluegill and rock bass are available for panfish anglers.



Lynx Lake


Lynx Lake is a very small lake on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes.  It is located near Eagle River, Wisconsin of Vilas County.  The lake totals 31 acres and has a maximum depth of 20 feet.  This lake gets quite a bit of boat traffic during the summer, as boaters move around to some of the bigger lakes on the chain.  This lake can be hit or miss because of its size, but walleye and muskie are common here.  It’s a tough lake if you’re looking for trophy fish, but it’s possible to do well here if you hit it right.  Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and northern pike are considered present.  Crappie, perch, bluegill and rock bass are available for panfish anglers.



Otter Lake


Otter Lake is part of the Eagle River Chain of Lakes.  It is located near Eagle River, Wisconsin of Vilas County.  The lake totals 174 acres and has a maximum depth of 30 feet. Otter Lake gets a lot of boat traffic, which can make fishing frustrating at times, but the lake usually is a productive walleye and muskie lake.  Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and northern pike are considered present.  Crappie, perch, bluegill and rock bass are available for panfish anglers.



Scattering Rice Lake


Scattering Rice Lake is a good lake to fish on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes.  It is located near Eagle River, Wisconsin of Vilas County.  The lake totals 267 acres and has a maximum depth of 17 feet.  This lake provides good fishing for walleye, muskie and panfish.  At times, there may be a lot less boat traffic on this lake as well, which is nice when the chain is full of boaters during the summer months.  Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and northern pike are considered present.  Crappie, perch, bluegill and rock bass are available for panfish anglers.



Voyageur Lake


Voyageur Lake is a good lake to fish on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes.  It is located near Eagle River, Wisconsin of Vilas County.  The lake totals 130 acres and has a maximum depth of 14 feet, although, most of the lake is much shallower.  Because this lake is so shallow, it is usually not nearly as productive during the summer months.  During the spring and fall, this lake can be much more productive, especially as the water is just starting to warm up in the spring.  Voyageur Lake has extensive weed growth and plenty of wood, which does offer plenty of opportunities for walleye, muskie, panfish and bass.



Watersmeet Lake


Watersmeet Lake is part of the Eagle River Chain of Lakes.  It is located near Eagle River, Wisconsin of Vilas County.  The lake totals 100 acres and has a maximum depth of 12 feet. This lake does have some current because of the 4 inlets that help make up this lake. Like other lakes on the chain, you can expect to find good fishing for walleye and muskie.  There are some smallmouth bass available, but this lake actually produces better fishing for largemouth bass because of all the shallow water wood and weeds.  Northern pike are considered present.



Yellow Birch Lake


Yellow Birch Lake is a small lake that is a part of the Eagle River Chain of Lakes.  It is located near Eagle River, Wisconsin of Vilas County.  The lake totals 202 acres and has a maximum depth of 23 feet.  Like other lakes on the chain, you can expect to find good fishing for walleye and muskie.  There are some smallmouth bass, but don’t expect to find tons of them here.  Largemouth bass and northern pike are considered present.  Crappie, perch, bluegill and rock bass are available for panfish anglers.  This lake is located within the city limits of Eagle River, which makes it a busy lake during the peak vacation season every summer.  With lots of recreational boaters and anglers, this lake can be hit or miss at times depending on when you are fishing here.