Eagle River sits at the heart of Wisconsin’s Northwoods and is famous for its 28-lake chain — the largest connected freshwater chain in the world. Anglers come for legendary muskie and walleye action, plus excellent bass, northern pike, and panfish fishing on both the Chain of Lakes and dozens of nearby waters.
Fishing by Species – Eagle River, WI
Muskie Fishing
The Eagle River Chain is one of Wisconsin’s best “action chains” for muskies, offering consistent follows and hookups. Surrounding smaller lakes also hold quality fish, and the town hosts major muskie tournaments each season.
Walleye Fishing
Walleyes are abundant on the Chain, with eater-size fish common and trophies possible. Early- and late-season bites are strongest; during busy summer days, target deeper structure or move to quieter nearby lakes.
Largemouth Bass Fishing
Largemouth numbers have surged over the past decade. Watersmeet, Silver, and Kentuck Lakes — plus back channels of the Chain — all offer action on soft plastics, frogs, and spinnerbaits. These are just some of the lakes closer to town that hold largemouth bass. If you go further away from town, you can get into some really good largemouth bass fishing, especially on the national forest lakes.
Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Look to rocky, clearer lakes just outside town. Butternut, Franklin, Kentuck, and Anvil Lakes regularly produce 3–4 lb smallmouth; work rocky points, boulders, and deep weed edges with jigs or crankbaits.
Northern Pike Fishing
Pike provide fast action on the Chain and weed-rich outlying lakes. Expect many 20–28″ fish, with occasional 30 +inchers along weedlines, shallow bays, and drop-offs.
Panfish Fishing
Bluegill, crappie, perch, and rock bass thrive here. Spring spawning runs pack shallow bays; later in the year, target weed edges, submerged wood, and mid-depth structure with bobbers or tiny jigs.
Trout Fishing
Several clear, deep lakes — such as White Deer Lake and Spectacle Lake — hold stocked trout for anglers seeking a peaceful, cold-water experience.
Eagle River Chain of Lakes
Nine connected lakes (Catfish, Cranberry, Duck, Eagle, Lynx, Otter, Scattering Rice, Voyageur, and Watersmeet/Yellow Birch) span nearly 3,600 acres and offer top-tier multi-species fishing with plentiful resorts, bait shops, and guides.
Eagle River Chain of Lakes (map)
Anvil Lake
Anvil Lake covers 377 acres (32 ft max depth) and offers common walleye, plus smallmouth bass, northern pike, and panfish in clear, quiet surroundings.
Franklin Lake
At 839 acres and 46 ft deep, Franklin Lake features clear water and common smallmouth bass, panfish, and walleye, with underrated pike action.
Kentuck Lake
Kentuck Lake (1,001 acres; 40 ft max depth) is a multi-species favorite for muskie, walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and panfish.
Luna Lake
Luna Lake (64 acres; 35 ft) is a no-motor lake with solid numbers of largemouth bass and panfish — perfect for quiet kayak fishing.
White Deer Lake
White Deer Lake (62 acres; 50 ft) is another no-motor gem, noted for clear water and opportunities for trout, largemouth bass, and panfish on finesse presentations.
Three Johns Lake
Three Johns Lake (48 acres; 42 ft) is a walk-in, no-motor lake that offers numbers of largemouth bass and panfish in a pristine forest setting.
McKinley Lake
Adjacent to Three Johns, McKinley Lake (48 acres; 20 ft) provides similar quiet largemouth bass and panfish action for small-craft anglers.
Spectacle Lake
Spectacle Lake (166 acres; 35 ft) is clear and uncrowded, known for good largemouth and smallmouth bass, plus trout, panfish, and walleye.
Bass Lake
Bass Lake (272 acres; 15 ft) holds common largemouth bass and panfish, with muskie, pike, and walleye present.
Boot Lake
Boot Lake (286 acres; 15 ft) offers abundant panfish and common muskie, northern pike, largemouth bass, and walleye.
Carpenter Lake
Carpenter Lake (339 acres; 16 ft) supports common walleye and panfish, with bass and pike present in moderately clear water.
Deerskin Lake
Deerskin Lake (301 acres; 18 ft) features common muskie, walleye, and largemouth bass, abundant panfish, and moderate northern pike action.
Lower Ninemile Lake
Lower Ninemile Lake (849 acres; 5 ft) is very shallow; expect numbers-over-size fishing for muskie, largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye.
Meta Lake
Meta Lake (175 acres; 25 ft) offers common walleye in moderately clear water, with bass and panfish present.
Muskellunge Lake
Muskellunge Lake (270 acres; 19 ft) delivers common muskie, walleye, northern pike, and panfish, with largemouth bass present.
Snipe Lake
Snipe Lake (216 acres; 15 ft) contains common muskie, walleye, and panfish, plus present largemouth bass and moderately clear water.
Upper Ninemile Lake
Upper Ninemile Lake (108 acres; 5 ft) is shallow and weed-filled, offering action for panfish, largemouth bass, and northern pike.
