Presque Isle is a quiet town that has been nicknamed “The Last Wilderness.” Located in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, there is plenty to do here for those of you that like being on the water. The lakes don’t get nearly as much fishing pressure up here as some of the other areas in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. This area has many lakes, streams, pristine forests and plenty of wildlife to help you get away from the daily grind.
Smallmouth bass, walleye and muskie are the primary species of fish in this area. There is some very good smallmouth bass fishing for action up here with some big fish too. Walleye and muskie are here in good numbers and there is some tremendous trophy potential for muskie. Largemouth bass, northern pike, perch, crappie and bluegill round out the fishery in this area.
View by Species of Fish
Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie, LM Bass, SM Bass
Area Waters
Presque Isle Chain of Lakes
The Presque Isle Chain of Lakes is a small chain of 3 lakes that offer some good fishing for a variety of fish. Anglers target muskie, northern pike, smallmouth bass and panfish here. The 3 lakes are Presque Isle, Van Vliet Lake and Averill.
Learn more about the Presque Isle Chain of Lakes
Other Lakes
Annabelle Lake
Annabelle Lake is a 194 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 30 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include walleye, muskie, northern pike, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the Wisconsin DNR, muskie, walleye and panfish are common in this lake. Smallmouth bass and northern pike are listed as present. The lake’s water is moderately clear.
Armour Lake
Armour Lake is a 328 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 56 feet. Fish include walleye, muskie, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the Wisconsin DNR, walleye and panfish are common in this lake. All of the other species of fish are listed as present.
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.
Horsehead Lake
Horsehead Lake is a 250 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 24 feet and there is one public boat landing. Fish include muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. The lake has moderately clear water. According to the DNR, muskie, walleye and panfish are common in this lake. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike are considered present.
Katinka Lake
Katinka Lake is a 170 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 60 feet with very clear water. Fish include muskie, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, muskie and panfish are considered common in the lake while largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and walleye are listed as present.
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.
McCullough Lake
McCullough Lake is a 221 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 27 feet. Fish include muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass and panfish are considered common in the lake while the other species of fish are listed as present.
Morton Lake
Morton Lake is a 165 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 29 feet. Fish include muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass and panfish are considered common in the lake while the other species of fish 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.
Papoose Lake
Papoose Lake is a 422 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 65 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 and walleye are common in this lake. Northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish are listed as present. The lake’s water clarity is very clear.
Round Lake
Round Lake is a 173 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 25 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include walleye, muskie, largemouth bass and panfish. According to the Wisconsin DNR, muskie, largemouth bass, walleye and panfish are common in this lake.
Stateline Lake
Stateline Lake is a 205 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 67 feet. Fish include northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the Wisconsin DNR, northern pike and panfish are common in this lake. Largemouth bass are listed as present and smallmouth bass are not even listed as a species of fish in this lake according to the WI DNR, but some anglers do report that some smallmouth bass are in this lake too.
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.
