Big Lake, Oneida County Fishing
A 845-acre Wisconsin lake in Oneida County, down to 27 feet.
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Big Lake, Oneida County, the essentials
Big Lake, Oneida County covers 845 acres in Oneida County, according to the WDNR Find a Lake record. The WDNR gives a maximum depth of 27 feet, with a mean of 13 feet. Groceries and gas are in Three Lakes, around 4 miles from the water. On the WDNR map it belongs to the Northern Region. In the DNR lake classification it is complex two story.
It is on the WDNR musky waters list (natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2)). The DNR walleye layer lists recruitment as natural reproduction only. It is a ceded territory lake for walleye limits. WDNR lists muskellunge, walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, panfish and smallmouth bass for it. Boaters use 3 public boat landings. Clarity from satellite data averages 8.6 feet (2017).
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WDNR rates each fish group in Big Lake, Oneida County as abundant, common or present.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Musky | Common |
| Walleye | Common |
| Largemouth Bass | Present |
| Northern Pike | Present |
| Panfish | Present |
| Smallmouth Bass | Present |
On Big Lake, Oneida County the walleye source is natural reproduction only. Musky in Big Lake, Oneida County fall under natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2).
Fishery outlook for Big Lake, Oneida County by class
“Complex two story lakes are able to support coldwater species – primarily cisco, and occasionally lake trout or lake whitefish. They have the potential to produce action and quality walleye fisheries.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Putting in on Big Lake, Oneida County
- Big Lake – Schultz Landing Access1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Town of Three Lakes
- Big Lake Public Access1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Program Supervisor
- East Big Lake Loop Access1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Town of Three Lakes
Nearby ramps for Big Lake, Oneida County
- Three Lakes Thoroughfare Access 1Three Lakes Thoroughfare, 1 mile northeast
- Mud Lake Access near Eagle RiverMud Lake, 1 mile northwest
- Three Lakes Thoroughfare Access 2Three Lakes Thoroughfare, 2 miles east
- Whitefish Lake Access near Eagle RiverWhitefish Lake, 2 miles northeast
- Margaret Lake AccessMargaret Lake, 3 miles south
- Big Stone Lake – Chicken in the Woods Road AccessBig Stone Lake, 3 miles northeast
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
Big Lake, Oneida County clarity and bottom
Bottom makeup at Big Lake, Oneida County: 60% sand, 5% gravel, 10% rock, 25% muck.
Big Lake, Oneida County is a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
The DNR lists chinese mystery snail and rusty crayfish as invasive species in Big Lake, Oneida County. Never move live bait or water from it.
Posted ordinances for Big Lake, Oneida County address water exhibitions and races, slow-no-wake areas.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Limits by species on Big Lake, Oneida County
The rows below come from the WDNR Lake Regulation record for Big Lake, Oneida County, season by season.
| 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. |
General WDNR note for Big Lake, Oneida County: Bag limits are for fish caught in all lakes in the THREE LAKES CHAIN including BIG FORK LAKE, BIG STONE LAKE, DEER LAKE, DOG LAKE, FOURMILE LAKE, ISLAND LAKE, LAUREL LAKE, LITTLE FORK LAKE, LONG LAKE, MEDICINE LAKE, MOCCASIN LAKE, MUD LAKE, PLANTING GROUND LAKE, RANGE LINE LAKE, ROUND LAKE, SPIRIT LAKE, TOWNLINE LAKE, VIRGIN LAKE, WHITEFISH LAKE 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.
Oneida County note in 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).
The Hwy 10 pike line puts Big Lake, Oneida County on its north side; bass rows follow the Northern Bass Zone.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Nearby lakes and Big Lake, Oneida County in one table
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Lake, Oneida County | 845 | 27 | 3 | complex two story | |
| Mud Lake near Three Lakes, Oneida County, 116 acres | 1 mile northwest | 116 | 9 | 1 | complex cool dark |
| Dog Lake near Three Lakes, Oneida County | 1 mile north | 202 | 22 | 0 | complex two story |
| James Lake, Oneida County | 2 miles south | 23 | 21 | 0 | simple warm dark |
| Crooked Lake, Oneida County | 2 miles southeast | 175 | 13 | 0 | simple warm dark |
| Little Moccasin Lake | 2 miles north | 32 | 21 | 0 | simple warm dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Places near Big Lake, Oneida County
Wisconsin lakes around Big Lake, Oneida County
- Mud Lake near Three Lakes, Oneida County, 116 acres1 mile northwest
- Dog Lake near Three Lakes, Oneida County1 mile north
- James Lake, Oneida County2 miles south
- Crooked Lake, Oneida County2 miles southeast
- Little Moccasin Lake2 miles north
Where anglers buy bait around Big Lake, Oneida County
- Patriot Baits And Jigsbait and tackle shop, Three Lakes, 3 miles
- Boat Sport Marinamarina, Eagle River, 11 miles
- R & M Musky Shopbait and tackle shop, Eagle River, 13 miles
- Fishing Holebait and tackle shop, Rhinelander, 15 miles
- Walmart Rhinelanderfarm and general store with fishing gear, Rhinelander, 15 miles
- L And M Fleet Supply, 2200 Lincoln Streetfarm and general store with fishing gear, Rhinelander, 15 miles
Home bases for a trip to Big Lake, Oneida County
- Three Lakes4 miles
- Eagle River13 miles
- Argonne14 miles
County guides for Big Lake, Oneida County
- Oneida Countyseat: Rhinelander
Piscifun picks matched to Big Lake, Oneida County
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Species you may hook at Big Lake, Oneida County
Photo: Totti, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Pacific Southwest Region USFWS from Sacramento, US, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Questions anglers bring up about Big Lake, Oneida County
Which WDNR region covers Big Lake, Oneida County?
It sits in Oneida County, WDNR Northern Region, about 4 miles from Three Lakes.
How large and deep is Big Lake, Oneida County?
WDNR lists 845 acres and 27 feet at the deepest.
Is there a public boat landing on Big Lake, Oneida County?
The WDNR maps 3 mapped landings; start with Big Lake – Schultz Landing Access.
What can a Wisconsin angler catch in Big Lake, Oneida County?
Expect muskellunge (common), walleye (common), largemouth bass (present), northern pike (present), panfish (present) and smallmouth bass (present).
Does Big Lake, Oneida County have its own WDNR regulations?
The Walleye, sauger and hybrids entry reads No minimum length limit, but only 1 fish over 14" is allowed and the daily bag limit is 3.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Big Lake, Oneida County on a Wisconsin license?
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.
Is Big Lake, Oneida County a seepage or drainage lake?
Satellite clarity about 8.6 feet (2017). Bottom: 60% sand, 5% gravel, 10% rock, 25% muck. WDNR class: complex two story. Type: drainage.
Which tackle shop on our list is nearest Big Lake, Oneida County?
Try Patriot Baits And Jigs, around 3 miles off.
Are there invasive species in Big Lake, Oneida County?
On file: chinese mystery snail and rusty crayfish.
Plan a Wisconsin lake day on Big Lake, Oneida County
Read the lake rules above, then pick a landing.