Fence Lake, Vilas County Fishing
A 3,483-acre Wisconsin lake in Vilas County, down to 86 feet.
Pick for muskyPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Minocqua: Squirrel lake, CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting acquainted with Fence Lake, Vilas County
The WDNR lists Fence Lake, Vilas County at 3,483 acres, a lake in Vilas County. Depths reach 86 feet at the deepest spot, with a mean of 37 feet. In a straight line, about 3 miles separates the lake from Lac du Flambeau. Fisheries work here comes out of the Northern Region. Lake class on the WDNR layer reads complex two story.
Musky are managed here, listed as natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2). The DNR trout layer includes it. Walleye rules here follow the ceded territory standard. Fish on its WDNR list include muskellunge, northern pike, panfish, smallmouth bass, walleye and largemouth bass. The WDNR access layer maps 1 public boat landing. WDNR satellite clarity is 10.1 feet for 2017.
For the musky herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 How abundant the fish are in Fence Lake, Vilas County
The DNR sorts the Fence Lake, Vilas County fishery into abundant, common and present groups.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Musky | Common |
| Northern Pike | Common |
| Panfish | Common |
| Smallmouth Bass | Common |
| Walleye | Common |
| Largemouth Bass | Present |
| Trout | Present |
The musky layer lists Fence Lake, Vilas County as natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2).
The WDNR class note for Fence Lake, Vilas County
“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.
Landings around Fence Lake, Vilas County
- Fence Lake Access1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, Lac du Flambeau Tribal
Public landings near Fence Lake, Vilas County
- Gunlock Lake AccessGunlock Lake, 3 miles south
- White Sand Lake Access near Eagle River (WDNR 2003)White Sand Lake, 3 miles northeast
- Little Crawling Stone Lake AccessLittle Crawling Stone Lake, 3 miles southwest
- Flambeau Lake RampFlambeau Lake, 4 miles west
- Flambeau Lake AccessFlambeau Lake, 5 miles west
- Squirrel Lake – Kobart Road AccessSquirrel Lake, 5 miles southwest
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
Depth and bottom of Fence Lake, Vilas County
Under the water, Fence Lake, Vilas County is 90% sand, 5% gravel, 5% rock, 0% muck, per the DNR.
Hydrologically, Fence Lake, Vilas County is a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Fence Lake, Vilas County has these invasive species on file: banded mystery snail and rainbow smelt. Rinse gear before the next lake.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
The rule table for Fence Lake, Vilas County
WDNR lists these Fence Lake, Vilas County seasons and bag rules species by species.
| 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 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. |
The WDNR record for Fence Lake, Vilas County adds: Bag limits are for fish caught in all lakes in the LAC DU FLAMBEAU CHAIN including CRAWLING STONE LAKE, FLAMBEAU LAKE, LITTLE CRAWLING STONE LAKE, LITTLE SAND LAKE, LONG INTERLAKEN LAKE, MOSS LAKE, PLACID TWIN LAKE, NORTH, PLACID TWIN LAKES, POKEGAMA LAKE, UNNAMED LAKE OR POND T40N-R5E-S18, WHITE SAND 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.
County text for Vilas: 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).
Fence Lake, Vilas County is north of US Highway 10 for pike, and in the Northern Bass Zone for bass.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Fence Lake, Vilas County beside its neighbors
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fence Lake, Vilas County | 3,483 | 86 | 1 | complex two story | |
| Bolton Lake | 2 miles east | 140 | 36 | 0 | complex warm clear |
| Placid Twin Lake, North | 2 miles south | 33 | 23 | 0 | complex cool clear |
| Raven Lake, Vilas County | 2 miles north | 40 | 13 | 0 | simple harsh has fishery |
| Crawling Stone Lake | 2 miles west | 1,483 | 87 | 0 | complex two story |
| Wyandock Lake | 2 miles south | 87 | 47 | 0 | simple warm dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
In reach of Fence Lake, Vilas County
Other Wisconsin lakes close to Fence Lake, Vilas County
- Bolton Lake2 miles east
- Placid Twin Lake, North2 miles south
- Raven Lake, Vilas County2 miles north
- Crawling Stone Lake2 miles west
- Wyandock Lake2 miles south
Tackle shops a short drive from Fence Lake, Vilas County
- Walmart Minocquafarm and general store with fishing gear, Minocqua, 7 miles
- Kurts Island Sport Shopsporting goods store, Minocqua, 8 miles
- Sallet's Northwoods Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Minocqua, 8 miles
- Arbor Vitae Campgroundbait and tackle shop, Arbor Vitae, 9 miles
- Lets Go Fishin Nowbait and tackle shop, Minocqua, 10 miles
- Rollie & Helens Musky Shopbait and tackle shop, Minocqua, 10 miles
Nearby Wisconsin towns for Fence Lake, Vilas County
- Lac du Flambeau3 miles
- Woodruff8 miles
- Minocqua8 miles
County pages for Fence Lake, Vilas County
- Vilas Countyseat: Eagle River
Gear from Piscifun for Fence Lake, Vilas County
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Shoreline scenes a drive from Fence Lake, Vilas County
Photo: Chris Rycroft, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Gpwitteveen, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Yinan Chen, CC BY 2.0
Quick facts people look up on Fence Lake, Vilas County
How far is Fence Lake, Vilas County from the nearest Wisconsin town?
In Vilas County, WDNR Northern Region, about 3 miles from Lac du Flambeau.
How big is Fence Lake, Vilas County by the WDNR count?
About 3,483 acres and 86 feet at the deepest.
Which landing should I use to launch on Fence Lake, Vilas County?
Try Fence Lake Access, one of 1 mapped landing.
Does the WDNR list walleye in Fence Lake, Vilas County?
Find a Lake names muskellunge (common), northern pike (common), panfish (common), smallmouth bass (common), walleye (common), largemouth bass (present) and trout (present).
What can I keep from Fence Lake, Vilas County?
Walleye, sauger and hybrids, per WDNR: 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.
Is a stamp needed on Fence Lake, Vilas County?
Classified trout water calls for a Wisconsin fishing license ($20 resident, $55 nonresident a year) and the $10 inland trout stamp when you fish for trout.
What lake class is Fence Lake, Vilas County?
Satellite clarity about 10.1 feet (2017). Bottom: 90% sand, 5% gravel, 5% rock, 0% muck. WDNR class: complex two story. Type: drainage.
Where can I buy bait on the way to Fence Lake, Vilas County?
Closest on our list: Walmart Minocqua, 7 miles.
Does Fence Lake, Vilas County have zebra mussels?
The DNR records banded mystery snail and rainbow smelt.
Put Fence Lake, Vilas County on this year's Wisconsin list
Buy a Go Wild license before the drive.