Amber Lake Fishing
A 736-acre Wisconsin lake in Oneida County and Vilas County, down to 21 feet.
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Amber Lake by the numbers
In Oneida County and Vilas County, Amber Lake spreads over 736 acres of open water. Expect water as deep as 21 feet. Lac du Flambeau lies about 7 miles from the lake. It is a Northern Region water for the WDNR. The DNR groups it as a complex cool dark lake.
The DNR musky layer includes it: natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2). WDNR records walleye recruitment here as natural reproduction only. It lies in the ceded territory, where the walleye bag is three on each water. The DNR fish list names muskellunge, northern pike, panfish, walleye, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. There are 1 public boat landing on its shore. A 2017 satellite estimate puts clarity at 9.4 feet.
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Each species group in Amber Lake carries a WDNR abundance word.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Musky | Common |
| Northern Pike | Common |
| Panfish | Common |
| Walleye | Common |
| Largemouth Bass | Present |
| Smallmouth Bass | Present |
Walleye in Amber Lake: natural reproduction only. Amber Lake musky status: natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2).
How the DNR describes the Amber Lake fishery
“Complex cool dark lakes can often support quality or action walleye fisheries, and can have great action fisheries for yellow perch, and have the potential to produce quality northern pike and muskellunge fisheries.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Amber Lake
- Squaw Lake Access near Park Falls1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, boarding dock, public
Boat landings close to Amber Lake
- Squaw Creek Carry-in Boat LandingSquaw Creek, 3 miles west
- Buckskin Lake AccessBuckskin Lake, 3 miles east
- Pike Lake Access on Pike-Round Lake ChainPike-Round Lake Chain, 3 miles west
- Booth Lake AccessBooth Lake, 4 miles east
- Diamond Lake Access near Park FallsDiamond Lake, 4 miles east
- Round Lake Public Boat LandingPike-Round Lake Chain, 4 miles northwest
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
What the water is like in Amber Lake
The DNR bottom survey for Amber Lake lists 90% sand, 0% gravel, 5% rock, 5% muck.
WDNR types Amber Lake as a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Invasives verified in Amber Lake: chinese mystery snail, purple loosestrife and rusty crayfish. Leave the landing with an empty bilge and live well.
Ordinances in force on Amber Lake: water exhibitions and races, water skiing restrictions.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Fishing regulations for Amber Lake
Each row is the regulation the WDNR app prints for Amber Lake.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3. |
| Muskellunge and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 28" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Northern pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Lake sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Cisco and whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Rough fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
Every species on Amber Lake also falls under this note: Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with 1 hook, bait, or lure per angler, and 3 hooks, baits, or lures maximum per boat.
From the Oneida County section of the guide: Oneida County is in the ceded territory (see page 13 for additional ceded territory information). With the exceptions below, Northern Bass Zone rules apply (see page 12). Motor trolling is permitted countywide (one hook, bait or lure per person; three lines maximum per boat).
For pike Amber Lake is north of Hwy 10, and the Northern Bass Zone sets its bass dates.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Recent stockings at Amber Lake
Stocking records for Amber Lake: 3 entries, 51,599 fish, years 2023 to 2025.
| Year | Species | Size | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | small fingerling | 1.53 in | 25,737 |
| 2023 | Walleye | small fingerling | 1.73 in | 25,679 |
| 2023 | Walleye | large fingerling | 7 in | 183 |
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025. Wisconsin stocking.
Lakes near Amber Lake compared
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amber Lake | 736 | 21 | 1 | complex cool dark | |
| Fuller Lake, Oneida County | under a mile east | 100 | 15 | 0 | simple harsh has fishery |
| Clear Lake near Lac du Flambeau, Oneida County | 2 miles east | 214 | 23 | 0 | complex warm clear |
| Buckskin Lake, Oneida County | 3 miles east | 642 | 22 | 1 | complex cool dark |
| Great Bass Lake | 3 miles east | 116 | 24 | 0 | simple warm dark |
| Turner Lake | 3 miles northwest | 159 | 12 | 0 | complex cool dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Around the area of Amber Lake
Lakes next door to Amber Lake
- Fuller Lake, Oneida Countyunder a mile east
- Clear Lake near Lac du Flambeau, Oneida County2 miles east
- Buckskin Lake, Oneida County3 miles east
- Great Bass Lake3 miles east
- Turner Lake3 miles northwest
Minnows and tackle close to Amber Lake
- Springstead Trading Postbait and tackle shop, Park Falls, 11 miles
- Walmart Minocquafarm and general store with fishing gear, Minocqua, 13 miles
- Sleepy Hollow Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Phillips, 13 miles
- Lets Go Fishin Nowbait and tackle shop, Minocqua, 13 miles
- Sallet's Northwoods Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Minocqua, 14 miles
- Kurts Island Sport Shopsporting goods store, Minocqua, 14 miles
Towns within reach of Amber Lake
- Lac du Flambeau7 miles
- Minocqua14 miles
- Woodruff15 miles
Amber Lake by county
- Oneida Countyseat: Rhinelander
- Vilas Countyseat: Eagle River
Piscifun spinning and casting reels for Amber Lake
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Know the fish of Amber Lake
Photo: TMDSA, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Amber Lake: what Wisconsin anglers want to know
Which Wisconsin county is Amber Lake in?
Look in Oneida County and Vilas County, WDNR Northern Region, about 7 miles from Lac du Flambeau.
How many acres does the WDNR give Amber Lake?
736 acres of water and 21 feet at the deepest.
Can I back a trailer into Amber Lake at a public landing?
1 mapped landing, led by Squaw Lake Access near Park Falls.
Which fish does the WDNR list for Amber Lake?
On file: muskellunge (common), northern pike (common), panfish (common), walleye (common), largemouth bass (present) and smallmouth bass (present).
What size limits apply on Amber Lake?
Walleye, sauger and hybrids: The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3.
What does a nonresident pay to fish Amber Lake?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
How clear does the water in Amber Lake run?
Satellite clarity about 9.4 feet (2017). Bottom: 90% sand, 0% gravel, 5% rock, 5% muck. WDNR class: complex cool dark. Type: drainage.
Which bait counter sits closest to Amber Lake?
Springstead Trading Post is about 11 miles from the lake.
When did WDNR crews last stock Amber Lake?
WDNR stocked 25,737 walleye in 2025.
Hitch up the boat and haul it to Amber Lake
The license page has every Wisconsin fee and season.