Most of the better lakes in the Eagle River area will have catchable populations of walleye. The walleye fishing can definitely be hit or miss up here depending on the lake you are fishing and the time of year, but if you’re looking to catch some walleye, you should be able to do it here. The Eagle River Chain of Lakes gets the most attention among the walleye anglers here since there is so much water to fish and good numbers of fish available. The chain does get a lot of fishing pressure, so the summer fishing can be a lot more difficult than the spring or fall, but if you know how to fish weed-oriented walleye, you can do good on the chain.
The other lakes you are going to find off the chain will be smaller lakes for the most part. Butternut Lake is a pretty good-sized lake, but is way better for smallmouth bass than walleye, however, walleye are in there. With the smaller lakes, the potential for bigger numbers and quality fish goes way down, but there are fishable populations for walleye in many of the lakes off the chain. Since the bass fishing has taken off over the last 10 years or so, plan on catching lots of bass in the smaller lakes with some walleye mixed in if you target them.
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, 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 Eagle River Chain of Lakes
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Lakes
Anvil Lake
Anvil Lake is a 377 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 32 feet with moderately clear water. Fish include smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, walleye are common in the lake while the other species of fish are listed as present.
Franklin Lake
Franklin Lake is a 839 acre lake located in the Nicolet National Forest of Forest County. It has a maximum depth of 46 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include panfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye. The Wisconsin DNR lists smallmouth bass, panfish and walleye as common on this lake, but many anglers report it is also a good northern pike lake even though the DNR has pike listed only as “present” for this lake. The water is very clear on this lake.
Kentuck Lake
Kentuck Lake is a 1001 acre lake located in Vilas, Forest Counties. It has a maximum depth of 40 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from public boat landings. Fish include muskie, panfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and walleye. According to the DNR, muskie, panfish, smallmouth bass and walleye are common in the lake. Largemouth bass are considered present.
Other Area Lakes
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.
Carpenter Lake
Carpenter Lake is a 339 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 16 feet. Fish include panfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye. Walleye and panfish are listed as common and the other species of fish are only list as present according to the Wisconsin DNR. The lake’s water is moderately clear.
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.
Meta Lake
Meta Lake is a 175 acre lake located in Oneida, Vilas Counties. It has a maximum depth of 25 feet. Fish include walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, walleye are considered common in the lake while the other species of fish are listed as present.
Muskellunge Lake
Muskellunge Lake is a 270 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 19 feet. Fish include muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, muskie, walleye, northern pike and panfish are considered common in the lake while largemouth bass are listed as present.
Snipe Lake
Snipe Lake is a 216 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 15 feet. Fish include muskie, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, muskie, walleye and panfish are considered common in the lake. Largemouth bass are listed as present. The lake has moderately clear water.
