The largemouth bass fishing has gotten a lot better in the Eagle River area over the past 10 years or so. Many anglers prefer to fish for muskie and walleye up here, so largemouth bass are under fished on many of the lakes in this area. If you go out and target largemouth bass, you should be able to catch some bass in the 2 to 3 pound range. There are reports of bass in the 4 to 5 pound range caught up here, but don’t expect to see too many bass in this size range. Some of the lakes that offer anglers some quality largemouth bass are Watersmeet Lake, Silver Lake, Kentuck Lake and in the channels between the Eagle River Chain of Lakes.
If you head into the Chequamegon National Forest, there are some quality small waters that do not allow motors on them. Luna Lake, Three Johns Lake, White Deer Lake & McKinley Lake are all worth a half day on the water. Luna, Three Johns & White Deer Lakes get the better reports for largemouth bass, but some anglers report decent bass fishing on McKinley Lake as well.
Bass Lake
Bass Lake is a 272 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 15 feet with moderately clear water. Fish include muskie, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass and panfish are considered common in the lake. Muskie, northern pike and walleye are listed as present.
Boot Lake
Boot Lake is a 286 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 15 feet. Fish include muskie, northern pike, largemouth bass, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are abundant in the lake while muskie, northern pike, largemouth bass and walleye are considered common.
Deerskin Lake
Deerskin Lake is a 301 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 18 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from 2 public boat landings. Fish include muskie, panfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye. Muskie, walleye and largemouth bass are listed as common on this lake according to the Wisconsin DNR with panfish being abundant. This lake also has a reputation for small northern pike to along with some good sized ones. The lake’s water is moderately clear.
Luna & White Deer Lake
Luna Lake is a 64 acre lake located in Forest County. It has a maximum depth of 35 feet. It is “no motor lake” so bring your small watercraft if you want to come here to fish for largemouth bass and panfish. It is a good largemouth bass lake for numbers with some quality fish too.
White Deer Lake is a 62 acre lake located in Forest County. It has a maximum depth of 50 feet. It is “no motor lake” so bring your small watercraft if you want to come here to fish for largemouth bass, trout and panfish. This lake’s clear waters are also very deep. Many anglers report good success here by using lighter line with finesse tactics for largemouth bass.
Three Johns Lake & McKinley Lake
Three Johns Lake is a 48 acre lake located in Forest County. It has a maximum depth of 42 feet. It is “no motor lake” so bring your small watercraft if you want to come here to fish for largemouth bass and panfish. It is a good largemouth bass lake for numbers with some quality fish too.
McKinley Lake is a 48 acre lake located in Forest County. It has a maximum depth of 20 feet. It is located close to Three Johns Lake and Butternut Lake. McKinley Lake is a decent largemouth bass lake with some panfish too. It is “no motor lake” so bring your small watercraft.
