Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County Fishing
A 665-acre Wisconsin lake in Vilas County, down to 34 feet.
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Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County by the numbers
In Vilas County, Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County spreads over 665 acres of open water. Expect water as deep as 34 feet. Boulder Junction lies about 2 miles from the lake. It is a Northern Region water for the WDNR. The DNR groups it as a complex cool clear 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 walleye, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, panfish and trout. A 2017 satellite estimate puts clarity at 11.1 feet.
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Each species group in Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County carries a WDNR abundance word.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Walleye | Abundant |
| Musky | Common |
| Smallmouth Bass | Common |
| Largemouth Bass | Present |
| Panfish | Present |
| Trout | Present |
Walleye in Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County: natural reproduction only. Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County musky status: natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2).
How the DNR describes the Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County fishery
“Complex cool clear lakes can often support quality or action walleye fisheries, and can have great action fisheries for smallmouth bass.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County
The WDNR layer holds no ramp on Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County; nearby landings follow.
Boat landings close to Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County
- Boulder Lake Boat RampBoulder Lake, under a mile southeast
- Little Crooked Lake Boat RampLittle Crooked Lake, 2 miles northwest
- Boulder Lake Small Craft LandingManitowish River, 2 miles southwest
- Little Rice Lake AccessLittle Rice Lake, 2 miles southeast
- Round Lake Access near Eagle RiverRound Lake, 3 miles northwest
- Nichols Lake Carry-in Boat LandingNichols Lake, 3 miles south
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
What the water is like in Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County
The DNR bottom survey for Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County lists 60% sand, 35% gravel, 15% rock, 0% muck.
WDNR types Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County as a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Invasives verified in Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County: rusty crayfish. Leave the landing with an empty bilge and live well.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Fishing regulations for Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County
Each row is the regulation the WDNR app prints for Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit, but only 1 fish over 14" is allowed and the daily bag limit is 3. |
| Muskellunge and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" 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 25. |
| 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 Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County 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 Vilas County section of the guide: Vilas County is in the ceded territory (see page 13 for additional ceded territory information). Motor trolling is permitted countywide (one hook, bait or lure per person; three lines maximum per boat), Northern Bass Zone rules apply (see page 12).
For pike Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County 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 Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County
Stocking records for Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County: 1 entries, 75 fish, years 2025 to 2025.
| Year | Species | Size | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 12 in | 75 |
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025. Wisconsin stocking.
Lakes near Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County compared
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County | 665 | 34 | 0 | complex cool clear | |
| Boulder Lake, Vilas County | 1 mile southeast | 516 | 23 | 1 | complex cool dark |
| Wolf Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County | 1 mile north | 403 | 28 | 0 | complex cool dark |
| Little Crooked Lake | 1 mile northwest | 154 | 30 | 1 | complex cool dark |
| Wool Lake | 2 miles southwest | 32 | 45 | 0 | simple harsh has fishery |
| Bear Lake, Vilas County | 2 miles north | 76 | 33 | 0 | complex warm clear |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Around the area of Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County
Lakes next door to Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County
- Boulder Lake, Vilas County1 mile southeast
- Wolf Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County1 mile north
- Little Crooked Lake1 mile northwest
- Wool Lake2 miles southwest
- Bear Lake, Vilas County2 miles north
Minnows and tackle close to Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County
- Jacks Jigsbait and tackle shop, Boulder Junction, 2 miles
- We Tie It Fly Shopfly shop, Boulder Junction, 2 miles
- Northern Highland Sports LLCsporting goods store, Boulder Junction, 2 miles
- Townline Sportssporting goods store, Manitowish Waters, 7 miles
- Greer's Pier Marinamarina, Manitowish Waters, 8 miles
- River's Edge Lodge & Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Manitowish Waters, 8 miles
Towns within reach of Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County
- Boulder Junction2 miles
- Sayner12 miles
- Lac du Flambeau16 miles
Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County by county
- Vilas Countyseat: Eagle River
Piscifun spinning and casting reels for Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County
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Know the fish of Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: Daniel Mayer (Mav), CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County: what Wisconsin anglers want to know
Which Wisconsin county is Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County in?
Look in Vilas County, WDNR Northern Region, about 2 miles from Boulder Junction.
How many acres does the WDNR give Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County?
665 acres of water and 34 feet at the deepest.
Can I back a trailer into Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County at a public landing?
Nothing is mapped on it, so use a nearby landing.
Which fish does the WDNR list for Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County?
On file: walleye (abundant), muskellunge (common), smallmouth bass (common), largemouth bass (present), panfish (present) and trout (present).
What size limits apply on Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County?
Walleye, sauger and hybrids: No minimum length limit, but only 1 fish over 14" is allowed and the daily bag limit is 3.
What does a nonresident pay to fish Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County?
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 Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County run?
Satellite clarity about 11.1 feet (2017). Bottom: 60% sand, 35% gravel, 15% rock, 0% muck. WDNR class: complex cool clear. Type: drainage.
Which bait counter sits closest to Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County?
Jacks Jigs is about 2 miles from the lake.
When did WDNR crews last stock Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County?
WDNR stocked 75 muskellunge in 2025.
Hitch up the boat and haul it to Big Crooked Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas County
The license page has every Wisconsin fee and season.