Manitowish Waters has always been known for having a good walleye fishery. Years ago, the Manitowish Chain of Lakes had great natural reproduction in its lakes for walleye, but that hasn’t been the case recently, so stocking has been essential to help boost the numbers in its lakes. The chain still gets the most attention here among walleye anglers. If you put in the time to learn the lakes and you fish the the mornings and evenings, you can still catch walleye here with an occasional big fish too. The other area lakes will be smaller lakes, but there are still fishable populations of walleye in several of the other area lakes too. Just like most of northern Wisconsin, the bass fishing has taken off in many of the lakes up here, so on the smaller lakes, plan on catching plenty of bass while targeting walleye, especially if you are fishing along the weed lines.
Manitowish Chain of Lakes
The Manitowish Chain of Lakes consists of 10 lakes that offers some excellent fishing for a variety of fish. Anglers come here to target northern pike, muskie, walleye, bass and panfish. This chain is a little farther north than Minocqua, but well worth the drive if you’re looking for good fishing with smaller crowds.
Learn more about the Manitowish Chain of Lakes
Other Area Lakes
Island Lake
Island Lake is a 865 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 35 feet. Fish include muskie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, muskie, northern pike, walleye and panfish are considered common in the lake while largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are listed as present.
Little Star Lake
Little Star Lake is a 260 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 67 feet. Fish include muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, muskie and walleye are considered common in the lake while the other species of fish are listed as present.
Little Trout Lake
Little Trout Lake is a 1,007 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 98 feet. Fish include muskie, walleye, trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, muskie, smallmouth bass and walleye are considered common in the lake. Largemouth bass, trout and panfish are listed as present.
Rest Lake
Rest Lake is a 655 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 53 feet. Fish include muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, muskie, northern pike, walleye and panfish are considered common in the lake while largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are listed as present.
Spider Lake
Spider Lake is a 278 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 43 feet. Fish include muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, muskie, northern pike, walleye and panfish are considered common in the lake while largemouth and smallmouth bass are listed as present.
Wild Rice Lake
Wild Rice Lake is a 384 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 26 feet. Fish include muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, muskie, walleye and panfish are considered common in the lake while northern pike, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are listed as present.
