Presque Isle, WI has so many lakes with smallmouth bass in them. There are definitely some trophy-sized smallmouth bass in this area, but on many of the area lakes, plan on catching lots of smaller bass. These action lakes can still be a lot of fun though when the bite is on. Some of the popular lakes that anglers fish for smallies in this area are Oxbow Lake, Crab Lake and Lynx Lake. Carlin Lake, Big Lake & Wildcat Lake also have good populations of smallmouth bass. Presque Isle Lake can be a tough lake to fish for smallmouth bass, but there are some very big fish in that lake. The deep, clear water makes it tough, but it is one of the best lakes in this area for catching a big smallmouth.
Big Lake
Big Lake is a 827 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 61 feet with moderately clear water. Fish include muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, muskie, smallmouth bass, walleye and panfish are considered common while largemouth bass and northern pike are listed as present.
Carlin Lake
Carlin Lake is a 155 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 36 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the Wisconsin DNR, smallmouth bass and panfish are common in this lake. Largemouth bass are listed as present. The lake’s water clarity is very clear.
Crab Lake
Crab Lake is a 909 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 60 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include walleye, muskie, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. It’s a very good numbers lake for smallmouth bass with some big smallies here too. Fish the rocky points, shorelines and islands and you’ll find plenty of smallmouth bass willing to bite. There is also some decent muskie fishing here too with some big fish available as well.
Lynx Lake
Lynx Lake is a 307 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 48 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include walleye, muskie, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the Wisconsin DNR, muskie, walleye and smallmouth bass are common in this lake. Largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish are listed as present.
Oxbow Lake
Oxbow Lake is a 523 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 44 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include walleye, muskie, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the Wisconsin DNR, walleye are common in this lake and all of the other species of fish are listed as present.
Presque Isle Lake
Presque Isle Lake is a 1165 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 103 feet with very clear water. Fish include muskie, panfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye. According to the DNR, muskie and walleye are considered common in the lake. The other species of fish are listed as present.
Wildcat Lake
Wildcat Lake is a 293 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 38 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include muskie, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the Wisconsin DNR, muskie, walleye, smallmouth bass and panfish are considered common in this lake. Largemouth bass are listed as present. The lake’s water is moderately clear.
