Arbor Vitae is a small town just north of Minocqua in Vilas County. While it doesn’t have as many lakes as some nearby towns, it offers excellent fishing opportunities. Big Arbor Vitae Lake is the crown jewel here, but you’ll also find a number of quality smaller lakes to explore nearby. Muskie, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and panfish are all available.
Fishing by Species – Arbor Vitae, WI
Walleye Fishing
Big Arbor Vitae Lake is your best bet, with healthy populations of walleye along the weedlines. Little Arbor and Sparkling Lakes also offer walleye, though in lower numbers.
Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Sparkling Lake stands out for smallmouth bass thanks to its depth and clarity. Big Arbor Vitae Lake also holds smallmouths, though largemouth bass are more dominant.
Muskie Fishing
Big Arbor Vitae is the go-to lake for muskies in Arbor Vitae. While it gets a lot of pressure, it produces quality fish every year. Smaller lakes in the area also hold muskie.
Largemouth Bass Fishing
Big Arbor Vitae is an excellent largemouth bass lake with solid numbers and some big fish. Other good lakes include Carrol, Little Arbor Vitae, Madeline, and Ross Lakes. The Bittersweet Lakes also provide more remote largemouth opportunities.
Big Arbor Vitae Lake
Big Arbor Vitae Lake is a 1,070-acre lake with a maximum depth of 41 feet. This is the area’s most popular fishing lake, with strong populations of muskie, walleye, panfish, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. Muskie and walleye are considered abundant, while panfish and largemouth bass are common. Smallmouth bass are present in fishable numbers with some quality fish available.
Little Arbor Vitae Lake
Little Arbor Vitae Lake is a 480-acre lake with a max depth of 32 feet. It offers fishing for muskie, walleye, largemouth bass, and panfish. All species are considered common.
Bittersweet Lakes State Natural Area
This scenic area features four soft-water seepage lakes—Bittersweet, Oberlin, Smith, and Prong—separated by narrow land trails. Most lakes require a portage, making this a quieter destination for anglers.
Bittersweet Lake: 104 acres, 31 ft max depth. Panfish, largemouth bass, and northern pike—all considered common.
Oberlin Lake: 42 acres, 25 ft deep. Panfish and largemouth bass, both common.
Smith Lake: 41 acres, 18 ft deep. Panfish are abundant; largemouth bass are common.
Prong Lake: 31 acres, 50 ft deep. Panfish are abundant; largemouth bass are common.
Carrol Lake
Carrol Lake spans 330 acres with a depth of 27 feet. Fish species include muskie, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, and panfish. Panfish are abundant; largemouth bass and muskie are common; walleye and pike are present.
Little Spider Lake
Little Spider Lake is 223 acres with a max depth of 23 feet. Fish include muskie, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and panfish. Panfish are common; other species are listed as present.
Madeline Lake
This 172-acre lake has a max depth of 17 feet. Fish include muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. Panfish are abundant; muskie and largemouth bass are common; northern pike and walleye are present.
Ross Lake
Ross Lake is 149 acres and 14 feet deep. It offers good largemouth bass and panfish fishing. Both species are considered common.
Sparkling Lake
Sparkling Lake covers 157 acres and reaches 60 feet deep. It has a healthy population of smallmouth bass in its deep, clear waters. Fish also include muskie, walleye, largemouth bass, and panfish. Muskie, walleye, and smallmouth bass are considered common; largemouth bass and panfish are present.
